N'Golo Kante's Shock Return Bolsters France's Euro 2024 Ambitions
N'Golo Kante has been named as a surprise inclusion in France's squad for Euro 2024. Kante has not played for Les Bleus since 2022, but despite the long absence from the squad, the Al Ittihad midfielder has been named in head coach Didier Deschamps' 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Germany.
The squad is headlined by Kylian Mbappe, who has played for Paris Saint-Germain since 2017 but looks set to move to Real Madrid in the upcoming window. Mbappe's PSG team-mate Bradley Barcola makes the squad for the first time. Also making the journey to Germany will be Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann, and William Saliba, though Bayern Munich's Lucas Hernandez misses out through injury.
Among the notable exclusions are Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku and Crystal Palace's Michael Olise, who both miss out despite recently returning to fitness in the Premier League. France will play two warm-up friendlies against Luxembourg and then Canada before they kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria on June 17.
France will also face the Netherlands and Poland in the group stage as they look to reclaim the European Championships crown they lost to Italy in the 2020 edition.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Alphonse Areola | West Ham |
| Mike Maignan | Milan | |
| Brice Samba | Lens | |
| Defenders | Jonathan Clauss | Marseille |
| Theo Hernandez | Milan | |
| Ibrahima Konate | Liverpool | |
| Jules Kounde | Barcelona | |
| Ferland Mendy | Madrid | |
| Benjamin Pavard | Inter | |
| William SalibaArsenalThe French national team will play two warm-up friendlies against Luxembourg and Canada. Their Euro 2024 campaign begins on June 17 against Austria. They will also face the Netherlands and Poland in their group stage matches as they aim to reclaim their European Championship title. This selection marks a significant moment for several players making their debut in a major tournament, while seasoned veterans like Giroud and Griezmann bring experience to the squad. The inclusion of Kante, despite his long absence, adds depth to Deschamps' midfield options. The French squad's mix of experienced players and fresh talent sets up an intriguing dynamic as they prepare for Euro 2024. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as France aims to make a strong impact in Germany. Story first published: Thursday, May 16, 2024, 23:57 [GST]  Log in for unlimited reading! Manage Profile First Name Last Name Email Address Age Select Age
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