France is one of the most successful nations to have played in UEFA Euros. Les Blues have won the competition twice in 1984 and 2000. Only Spain and Germany have won more titles, 3 each in Euros. Ahead of UEFA Euro 2024, France manager Didier Deschamps has selected a formidable squad which can go and potentially win the tournament.
France UEFA Euro 2024 Squad
France’s Euro 2024 squad is yet to be released, but the provisional squad has been announced by head coach Didier Deschamps. Apart from a few big misses the France squad for Euro 2024 looks well-balanced and settled.
| Position | Name | Age | Club |
| Goalkeepers | Alphonse Areola | 31 | West Ham United |
| Mike Maignan | 28 | AC Milan | |
| Brice Samba | 30 | RC Lens | |
| Defenders | Jonathan Clauss | 31 | Marseille |
| Ibrahima Konate | 24 | Liverpool | |
| William Saliba | 23 | Arsenal | |
| Jules Kounde | 25 | Barcelona | |
| Theo Hernandez | 26 | AC Milan | |
| Ferland Mendy | 28 | Real Madrid | |
| Benjamin Pavard | 28 | Bayern Munich | |
| Dayot Upamecano | 25 | Bayern Munich | |
| Midfielders | N’Golo Kante | 33 | Al-Ititihad |
| Eduardo Camavinga | 21 | Real Madrid | |
| Adrien Rabiot | 29 | Juventus | |
| Aurelien Tchouameni | 24 | Real Madrid | |
| Warren Zaire-Emery | 18 | PSG | |
| Youssouf Fofana | 25 | AS Monaco | |
| Forwards | Kylian Mbappe | 25 | PSG |
| Bradley Barcola | 21 | PSG | |
| Ousmane Dembele | 27 | PSG | |
| Kingsley Coman | 27 | Bayern Munich | |
| Marcus Thuram | 26 | Inter | |
| Randal Kolo Muani | 25 | PSG | |
| Olivier Giroud | 37 | AC Milan | |
| Antoine Griezmann | 33 | Atletico Madrid |
In defence, Lucas Hernandez will be a big miss for Les Blues. The PSG defender is ruled out of UEFA Euro 2024 with an ACL injury. On the other hand, ace midfielder Paul Pogba is also out after being banned by FIFA for 4 years for doping.
Expectations will be high given France has one of the best players in world football right now.
Squad Announcement
Key Players and Profiles
France have a plethora of star players amidst their ranks. From the likes of Kylian Mbappe to Antoine Greizmann to Theo Hernandez to N’Golo Kante, Les Blues have a star-studded lineup in their ranks.
Kylian Mbappe
The golden boy in World football is one of France’s prized possessions. Be it the Euro or World Cup, Mbappe has been a prolific player for his nation. The 25-year-old has already played 77 matches for his country where he managed to find the back of the net 46 times. The ace forward is tipped to be one of the highest goalscorers of UEFA Euro 2024.
Antoine Griezmann
The perfect linkup between the midfielders and forwards is Antoine Griezmann. The flashy shadow striker is a workhorse who knows how to fill the plugs in the midfield. The 33-year-old is expected to be a vital cog for Les Blues as they aim to secure another silverware.
Theo Hernandez
Amongst the many defenders, Lucas Hernandez is perhaps the most talented and most versatile. The AC Milan left-back can play as a centre-back and as a wing-back. His play is extremely important given he interlinks with the midfield and with Kylian Mbappe at the top of the attacking line.
France Euro 2024 Young Talents
Apart from having experienced campaigners, Les Blues also have some exciting youngsters. Eduardo Camavinga and Co. comprises France’s Euro 2024 young talents.
Eduardo Camavinga
The 21-year-old Real Madrid player is a star in the making. Not only is he an excellent passer, he is a brilliant defensive midfielder who can operate as a left-back as well. France will be hugely reliant on Camavinga in their high-pressing playing style
Warren Zaire-Emery
Just 18 years of age Warren Zaire-Emery has made 52 appearances for PSG. The robust midfielder is a workhorse at the heart of the midfield. He can comfortably operate as a full-fledged midfielder or as a defensive shield ahead of the centre-backs.
Bradley Barcola
France boasts of having a huge setup of youngsters, and Bradley Barcola fits the bill. Yet to make his debut for the nation, the 21-year-old has scored four times for PSG. The young left winger will surely be one of the most exciting prospects to watch in UEFA Euros 2024.
Team Strategy and Tactics
France Euro 2024 coach Didier Deschamps prefers a high intensity of attack and defence from his side. France usually plays in a dynamic 4-3-3 where the forwards often interchange positions. Fuelled by creative midfielders and high attacking fullbacks France aims to score a huge amount of goals.
Mike Maignan starts as the custodian. Jonathan Clauss or Jules Kounde will fight for the right-back spot. Benjamin Pavard, and Ibrahim Konate slot as the centre backs while Theo Hernandez operates as the left back.
N’Golo Kante will operate at the heart of the midfield accompanied by the dynamic box-to-box midfielder Adrian Rabiot. Eduardo Camavinga or Aurelien Tchouamen will slot in as the third member in the midfield.
Antoine Greizmann will operate as the creative playmaker behind the forwards, traditionally in a false 9 role. Kylian Mbappe will operate in his favoured left-wide role while Ousmane Dembele slots in at the right. Should the need arise for a number 9, Deschamps can bring in his dependable strike, Olivier Giroud.
Previous Performances
France is the second most successful nation to take part in the competition. Les Blues have won the title twice in 1984 and 2000. They have also been runners-up in 2016 and have also finished 3rd and 4th too.
From 1964 to 1980, France failed to qualify for the tournament, as well as in 1988. Following this they have been a usual suspect.
In 2016 they came close but lost out to Portugal in the finals. But 2020 was not a good campaign as Didier Deschamps and his boys had to bow out in the Round of 16.
Match Schedule and Fixtures
France is placed in Group D in UEFA Euro 2024. France’s Euro match schedule includes some highly entertaining matches against Netherlands, Poland and Austria. A top 2 finish can potentially see a Round of 16 matchup with the likes of England or Denmark.
Historical Squads
France last won UEFA Euro in 2020 and that was a star-studded squad. Current head coach, Didier Deschamps was the captain of Les Blues back then 24 years back. Fabian Barthez was the custodian while the likes of Laurent Blanc, Marcel Desailly, Lilian Thuram and Frank Lebœuf comprised the defence.
The midfield was equally star-studded, consisting of the likes of Patrick Vieira, Didier Deschamps, Zinedine Zidane, Robert Pires, and Emmanuel Petit. The dynamic forward lineup consisted of players like Nicolas Anelka, Thierry Henry, and David Trezeguet.
