France has announced the official squad for Euro 2024 with the notable return of World Cup 2018 winner N’Golo Kante as on-form Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku is out.
France Squad of Euro 2024
France, the usual title contender, has an impressive squad with a deep bench for the coming regional competition in Germany.
N’Golo Kante earned a surprise call as the former Leicester and Chelsea superstar got the call from Didier Deschamps.
Kante struggled with injuries during his last spell with London-based side Chelsea before the midfielder sealed a move to Saudi Pro League Al-Ittihad previous summer.
The 2016 finalist named 33-year-old Kante in the squad is considered a reinforcement in terms of experience.
Kante has made 53 appearances for France and played in all seven games in their victorious 2018 World Cup campaign. He has also played 41 games in all competitions this season for fifth-placed Al-Ittihad, scoring four goals and providing six assists.
His last appearance for the France national team was in the summer of 2022.
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been named in the squad. However, he sustained a stress injury to his left foot during the Champions League semi-final second-leg win over Bayern Munich. He is doubtful about the final on June 1.
Notable omissions from France Squad
Nkunku has been improving at Chelsea, where he missed many games due to injury in his debut season, but it was not enough for the striker to be called up.
Meanwhile, there was no place for Axel Disasi or Malo Gusto (also from Chelsea).
The uncapped Bradley Barcola, who helped Paris Saint-Germain reach the Champions League semi-finals, is in the group, along with 18-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery.
France squad in full
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Aréola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens).
Defenders: Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Benjamin Pavard (Inter), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid).
Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Adrien Rabiot Juventus), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), N’Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad).
Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Kinglsey Coman (Bayern Munich), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Kylian Mbappe (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Inter).
