The biggest headline from the squad announcement is the omission of Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga. The talented midfielder, who featured in the 2022 World Cup final, was completely left out of the final list. Deschamps explained that a difficult club campaign hampered by injuries and a lack of consistent playing time ultimately cost the young midfielder his ticket to the tournament.
Tottenham forward Randal Kolo Muani was also left out after a disappointing club season, while Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier missed out on selection as well. Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was also unavailable after suffering a tragic, season-ending Achilles injury in April.
Despite those high-profile absences, the French squad boasts terrifying depth. Team captain Kylian Mbappe will spearhead the frontline despite recently carrying a slight thigh injury. He is joined by newly crowned Ballon d Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich star Michael Olise. Young prodigies Desire Doue and Manchester City playmaker Rayan Cherki have also earned their spots, alongside Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta, who secured a recall to cover the attacking line.
The midfield features a solid blend of youth and experience, led by Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, and veteran N Golo Kante, who is now playing his club football in Turkey with Fenerbahce. Paris Saint-Germain sensation Warren Zaire-Emery and Roma midfielder Manu Kone complete the middle third options.
Defensively, Arsenal center-back William Saliba and Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano are expected to anchor the backline. They are supported by a elite defensive cast including Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, and the Hernandez brothers, Lucas and Theo.
In goal, AC Milan shot-stopper Mike Maignan remains the undisputed first-choice keeper. Brice Samba will serve as his primary backup, while twenty-one year old Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser earned his first ever senior call-up as the third choice goalkeeper after being named Ligue 1 Best Goalkeeper. Risser stands as the only uncapped player in the entire selection.
This tournament carries immense emotional weight for Les Bleus, as it will mark the final major competition for Didier Deschamps as head coach. Having guided France to World Cup victory in 2018 and another final in 2022, Deschamps will step down after this campaign, with French icon Zinedine Zidane widely tipped to take over the reins.
France will fly out to their training base in Boston before playing warm-up matches against Ivory Coast and Northern Ireland. Their highly anticipated Group I campaign begins on June 16 against Senegal in East Rutherford, New Jersey, followed by group stage matches against Iraq on June 22 in Philadelphia and Norway on June 26 in Foxborough.
The full twenty-six man squad list is detailed below.
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Robin Risser, Brice Samba.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, Maxence Lacroix, Jules Kounde, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano.
Midfielders: N Golo Kante, Manu Kone, Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Warren Zaire-Emery.
Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram.