The France Euro 2024 roster has navigated a challenging path to the semi-finals of the tournament, showcasing resilience despite performances that have been far from dominant. Les Bleus have managed to progress through each stage, even while facing struggles in both the group matches and the knockout rounds.
Their campaign in Germany began with a narrow 1-0 victory against Austria. However, their second match against the Netherlands resulted in the first goalless draw of Euro 2024, exposing some limitations in their attacking prowess. In their final group game, France faced Poland, a team already eliminated from the competition, and could only manage a 1-1 draw. This result meant they finished second in their group, a position that significantly complicated their route through the knockout stages.
Finishing as runners-up had substantial implications for Didier Deschamps’ side. Instead of a potentially easier path, France found themselves in the same side of the draw as formidable opponents including Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium. Despite this daunting prospect, France persevered. In the round of 16, they narrowly defeated Belgium, courtesy of an own goal by Jan Vertonghen. Following this, a penalty shootout victory against Portugal in the quarter-finals allowed them to overcome the memories of past disappointments, particularly from Euro 2020.
A notable peculiarity of France’s journey so far is that, remarkably, no player from the France squad has scored a goal in open play. Their goals have come from an Austrian own goal, a Kylian Mbappe penalty against Poland, and another own goal in the Belgium match, this time credited to Jan Vertonghen. With only three goals scored in five matches, their attacking output hardly reflects the capabilities expected from such a talented team. Yet, they find themselves among the final four contenders.
Kylian Mbappe, their talismanic forward, has been visibly hampered after sustaining a broken nose in the opening match against Austria. He is now required to wear a protective mask while playing, which may be affecting his usual dynamism. While the French squad boasts considerable quality in other areas, with players like Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, and N’Golo Kante, the team’s overall cohesion and attacking fluidity have been lacking.
To progress further and contend for the Euro 2024 title, France will need to address these issues urgently. Their semi-final opponents, Spain, have arguably been the most impressive team in the tournament to date. Spain’s cohesive play and abundant quality pose a significant threat to France. If Les Bleus aspire to go all the way and lift the trophy, they must rediscover their best form and sharpen their attacking edge.
France Euro 2024 squad France Head Coach Didier Deschamps celebrates with his teammates after winning Belgium during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium at Düsseldorf Arena on July 1, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Marcio Machado/ Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
France Euro 2024 Squad: The Full 25-Man Team
Here is the complete France Euro 2024 roster:
Goalkeepers (GK)
- Brice Samba (Lens)
- Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
- Alphonse Areola (West Ham)
Defenders (DF)
- Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
- William Saliba (Arsenal)
- Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
- Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
- Jonathan Clauss (Marseille)
- Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan)
- Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
- Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid)
Midfielders (MF)
- N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad)
- Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
- Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
- Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
- Youssouf Fofana (Monaco)
- Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
Forwards (FW)
- Olivier Giroud (AC Milan)
- Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
- Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
- Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
- Randal Kolo Muani (PSG)
- Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
- Bradley Barcola (PSG)
- Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
Note: Didier Deschamps chose a 25-man squad instead of the maximum 26.
France Euro 2024 Squad Numbers
| No. | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brice Samba | GK |
| 2 | Benjamin Pavard | DF |
| 3 | Ferland Mendy | DF |
| 4 | Dayot Upamecano | DF |
| 5 | Jules Kounde | DF |
| 6 | Eduardo Camavinga | MF |
| 7 | Antoine Griezmann | FW |
| 8 | Aurelien Tchouameni | MF |
| 9 | Olivier Giroud | FW |
| 10 | Kylian Mbappe | FW |
| 11 | Ousmane Dembele | FW |
| 12 | Randal Kolo Muani | FW |
| 13 | N’Golo Kante | MF |
| 14 | Adrien Rabiot | MF |
| 15 | Marcus Thuram | FW |
| 16 | Mike Maignan | GK |
| 17 | William Saliba | DF |
| 18 | Warren Zaire-Emery | MF |
| 19 | Youssouf Fofana | MF |
| 20 | Kingsley Coman | FW |
| 21 | Jonathan Clauss | DF |
| 22 | Theo Hernandez | DF |
| 23 | Alphonse Areola | GK |
| 24 | Ibrahima Konate | DF |
| 25 | Bradley Barcola | FW |
France Fixtures and Results at Euro 2024
Group Stage
- June 17: Austria 0-1 France
- June 21: Netherlands 0-0 France
- June 25: France 1-1 Poland
Knockout Stage
- July 1 (Round of 16): France 1-0 Belgium
- July 5 (Quarter-final): Portugal 0-0 France (3-5 on penalties)
- July 9 (Semi-final): Spain vs France
France Euro 2024 Top Scorer
1 goal: Kylian Mbappe (penalty)
France Euro 2024 Yellow Cards and Suspensions
For the semi-final against Spain, no French player is suspended. Yellow card accumulation was reset after the quarter-finals.
France Manager: Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps stands out as one of the elite few who have achieved World Cup victory both as a player and as a manager. He now has the opportunity to make history again by becoming the first person to win both the European Championship and the World Cup as a player and a coach.
Deschamps has been instrumental in transforming the French national team’s culture. Historically, despite possessing immense talent, Les Bleus were often marred by off-field issues. Deschamps has instilled discipline and unity, fostering a renewed sense of national pride and commitment among the players. While some critics may question his tactical approach, his track record, including turning around the 2022 World Cup final from a 2-0 deficit, demonstrates his capability to lead France to further silverware.
France Euro 2024 squad Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates during the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between France and Belgium at Düsseldorf Arena on July 01, 2024 in Dusseldorf, Germany. (Photo by James Baylis – AMA/2024 AMA Sports Photo Agency)
France’s Star Player: Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe’s credentials speak volumes. With five goals scored in World Cup finals, being only the second player to score a hat-trick in a final, becoming PSG’s all-time leading scorer, and ranking as the second most expensive player ever, Mbappe has already amassed an extraordinary career at just 25 years old. His recent move to Real Madrid further solidifies his status as a global superstar.
Mbappe’s motivation for the semi-final and beyond will undoubtedly be sky-high. Known for his relentless focus on breaking records, he has already scored 48 goals in his first 83 appearances for France. His ambition and talent make him a pivotal figure for France’s aspirations in Euro 2024.
