The France Euro 2024 squad has reached the semi-finals, but their journey has been anything but smooth. Despite being one of the pre-tournament favorites, Les Bleus have shown glimpses of vulnerability, raising questions about their ability to go all the way.
Their Euro 2024 campaign began with a narrow 1-0 victory against Austria in Germany. However, they struggled to break down the Netherlands defense, resulting in the first goalless draw of the tournament. In their final group stage match, France stumbled again, drawing 1-1 with Poland, a team already eliminated from Euro 2024. This lackluster performance meant they finished second in their group, leading to a more challenging path in the knockout stages.
Didier Deschamps France Euro 2024 strategy and team management during the Euro 2024 group stage.
Finishing as runner-up had significant consequences for Didier Deschamps’ team. Instead of a potentially easier route, France found themselves in the same side of the bracket as heavyweights like Germany, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium. This meant their path to the final would be significantly tougher. Nevertheless, they managed to overcome Belgium in the round of 16, albeit through an own goal by Jan Vertonghen. The quarter-finals saw them face Portugal, a rematch of the Euro 2020 encounter, which France won this time via a penalty shootout, exorcising some past demons.
A notable concern for the France squad is their lack of goals from open play. Their goals so far have come from an Austrian own goal, a Kylian Mbappe penalty against Poland, and another own goal against Belgium. Scoring only three goals in five matches is far below expectations for a team of France’s caliber, highlighting an underlying issue in their attacking play.
Adding to their challenges, Kylian Mbappe, their talismanic forward, has been playing with a mask after suffering a broken nose in the opening game against Austria. While France boasts world-class players around Mbappe, including Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, and N’Golo Kante, the team’s attacking chemistry seems to be misfiring at crucial moments.
Kylian Mbappe France Euro 2024 mask and determination after injury at Euro 2024.
France needs to address these issues quickly as they prepare for a semi-final clash against Spain. Spain has arguably been the most impressive team in Euro 2024, showcasing both quality and tactical fluidity. To progress further and ultimately lift the trophy, Deschamps and his France Euro 2024 squad must rediscover their best form and find solutions to their attacking woes.
FourFourTwo continues to provide comprehensive coverage of Euro 2024, offering in-depth analysis of all Euro 2024 squads and guides on how to watch every game live.
France Euro 2024 squad: The Full 25-Man Team
- GK: Brice Samba (Lens)
- GK: Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
- GK: Alphonse Areola (West Ham)
- DF: Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)
- DF: William Saliba (Arsenal)
- DF: Jules Kounde (Barcelona)
- DF: Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
- DF: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille)
- DF: Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan)
- DF: Theo Hernandez (AC Milan)
- DF: Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid)
- MF: N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad)
- MF: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
- MF: Adrien Rabiot (Juventus)
- MF: Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG)
- MF: Youssouf Fofana (Monaco)
- MF: Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
- FW: Olivier Giroud (AC Milan)
- FW: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
- FW: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)
- FW: Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
- FW: Randal Kolo Muani (PSG)
- FW: Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan)
- FW: Bradley Barcola (PSG)
- FW: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
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
June 17: Austria 0-1 France
June 21: Netherlands 0-0 France
June 25: France 1-1 Poland
July 1: France 1-0 Belgium
July 5: Portugal 0-0 France (3-5 pens)
July 9: Spain v France
France Euro 2024 Top Scorers
1 goal: Kylian Mbappe
France Euro 2024 Yellow Cards and Suspensions
No France player is currently suspended for the semi-final against Spain as yellow cards were reset after the quarter-finals.
France Manager: Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps stands on the cusp of history. Already one of only three individuals to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager, he now aims to become the first to achieve the same feat with the European Championship. Deschamps has brought stability and unity to the French national team, fostering a sense of national pride and restoring the team’s connection with the French public. While sometimes criticized for a pragmatic tactical approach, his ability to inspire and adapt, as evidenced in the 2022 World Cup final, cannot be underestimated. His leadership will be crucial as France seeks Euro 2024 glory.
France’s Star Player: Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly the focal point of this France Euro 2024 squad. At just 25 years old, Mbappe has already achieved remarkable milestones, including five goals in World Cup finals and becoming PSG’s all-time leading scorer. His move to Real Madrid further solidifies his status as a global superstar. Despite the setback of his broken nose and having to wear a mask, Mbappe’s ambition and determination remain undiminished. With 48 goals in his first 83 appearances for France, he possesses the talent and drive to be a game-changer in the semi-final and potentially lead France to victory.
