As the runners and riders are assessed for the 2024 European Championships this summer, few teams have more quality, experience and know-how in their playing and coaching staff than France.
In addition to England, Portugal, Spain and Germany, Didier Deschamps’ team is one of the favorites to go all out when the tournament starts on June 14.
An embarrassing Euro 2020 last-16 exit to Switzerland was sandwiched by a first and second place finish at two World Cups and they are certainly not a team to take lightly.
Defeat against Germany and a narrow win against Chile in March’s international break prove France is human, but the immense talents across the pitch, including captain Kylian Mbappe, are a frightening proposition for any opposition.
Mail Sport takes you through everything you need to know about Les Bleus, including how they qualified, their history in the tournament and which stars to look out for.
France enters the 2024 European Championship this summer as one of the favorites to win the tournament
Didier Deschamps’ team have won the European Championship twice, but exited at the last 16 stage in 2020
Who is the administrator?
Didier Deschamps
As he approaches his 12th anniversary as France boss, there are not many coaches at Euro 2024 who can boast as much international experience as Didier Deschamps.
The Frenchman managed Monaco, Juventus and Marseille before taking over his country in the aftermath of Euro 2012.
Deschamps has been in charge ever since and the former midfielder has racked up 98 wins in 151 games, demonstrating France’s position at the top of world football during his tenure.
Two runners-up and one winner’s medal from five major tournaments also show that the 55-year-old knows exactly what to do when the pressure is on.
Didier Deschamps is approaching 12 years as France boss and has won 98 of his 151 games
Who is their star man?
Kylian Mbappe
Who else but Kylian Mbappé? With 46 goals in 77 international matches, the attacker is well on his way to becoming France’s all-time record scorer at the age of 25.
Regardless of all the speculation surrounding his future this season, Mbappe still scored 44 times in 48 games and was often rested by Luis Enrique during the latter stages of the season, as the PSG boss had planned for the future.
Despite scoring 12 goals in 14 World Cup games – winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 Qatar World Cup – Mbappe has yet to score in a European championship.
With the 25-year-old joining Real Madrid next season, Mbappe wants to get that monkey off his back and start a new chapter of his career in the best possible way.
Few would bet on him starring in Germany, especially after scoring nine goals in eight qualifying games.
With 46 goals in 77 international matches, Mbappé is well on his way to becoming France’s all-time top scorer
How did they qualify?
Unsurprisingly, France cruised to Euro 2024 with ease, winning seven and drawing one of their eight qualifying matches.
Les Bleus scored 29 goals and conceded just three, two of which came in a 2-2 draw against Greece as Deschamps eliminated a heavily substituted side.
France also recorded two impressive wins against the Netherlands, which will stand them in good stead for another Group D showdown in Germany.
They similarly confirmed their dominance with a record 14-0 win against Gibraltar.
France romped to the 2024 European Championship with ease, winning seven and drawing one of the eight matches
Fixtures
France vs. Austria – Monday, June 17, 8:00 PM in the Düsseldorf Arena
France vs Netherlands – Friday June 21, 8:00 PM in Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
France vs Poland – Tuesday June 25, 5pm at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
Les Bleus defeated the Netherlands twice in qualifying and will meet again in Group D in Germany
Tournament history
Despite being one of the most decorated international teams in history, France’s recent record at the European Championships is somewhat disappointing compared to their usual standards.
Les Bleus are two-time winners of the competition, although their last victory came in 2000.
Meanwhile, apart from claiming runners-up medals at the European Championships on home soil in 2016, France have failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals of the competition since 2000.
However, Deschamps’ side have had no such problems in the World Cups, winning the trophy in 2018 before losing to Argentina in the final on penalties in 2022.
France suffered an embarrassing exit to Switzerland in the last sixteen of the 2020 European Championship
Chance to win the trophy
4/1 – odds provided by Sky bet. The odds are correct at the time of publication.
Team
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich) ) )
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante (Al-Ittihad), Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaire-Emery (PSG), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco)
Forward: Kylian Mbappe (PSG, until June 30), Bradley Barcola (PSG), Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan)
