France will arrive in Germany as a real threat of winning Euro 2o24 and two weeks out from the tournament are Paddy’s second favourites in the betting behind England.
Les Bleus have always been there or thereabouts under Didier Deschamps, and they once again have a squad capable of going all the way.
The pain of the previous two tournaments will still burn strong, following their penalty defeats in the 2022 World Cup final and the Euro 2020 quarters. But with a new mix of young and experienced players, they have a good chance of extinguishing it.
Deschamps sprung a surprise by recalling everyone’s favourite happy chappy N’Golo Kante, who hasn’t appeared for his nation since 2022. The now-veteran will provide valuable experience alongside a new-look midfield – but will a year of playing in Saudi Arabia give him enough match sharpness when it really counts?
Despite a relatively tough group, many will predict France to go far, even all the way. If they can get past the Netherlands, Poland, and Austria in Group D, they’ll fancy their chances against anyone in the knockout stages.
MANAGER: Didier Deschamps
CAPTAIN: Kylian Mbappe will lead his country at a major tournament for the first time following the international retirement of long-standing skipper Hugo Lloris.
STAR PLAYER: Didier Deschamps won’t just look to Mbappe to lead his team, but also as his superstar. The forward scored a hat-trick in the 2022 World Cup final and scored nine in qualifying for Euro 2024.
Despite all his qualities, the former PSG man will have the ghost of Euro 2020 to put behind him, as it was his penalty miss saw France eliminated by Switzerland at the previous tournament.
HOW THEY GOT THERE: France finished top of Group B, qualifying unbeaten and only drawing once. Euro 2024 opponents Netherlands were their chief rivals, with Greece, Ireland, and Gibraltar also there for company. They beat the latter 14-0 in November.
HOW WILL THEY DO: The group shouldn’t give them any sleepless nights and with a squad packed with talent they can absorb any injuries or suspensions that crop up along the way. They are second favourites with good reason.
BEST BET: It is unlikely they won’t go deep in the tournament. With a favourable record on their side and the potential to avoid all the massive names until the semi-final, it is a fair shout to back France to win Euro 2024.
FRANCE EURO 2024 FIXTURES
Group D
Monday, Jun 17: Austria v France, 8pm (Merkur Spiel Arena, Düsseldorf)
Friday, Jun 21: Netherlands v France, 8pm (Red Bull Arena, Leipzig)
Tuesday, Jun 25: France v Poland, 5pm (Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund)
FRANCE EURO 2024 SQUAD
Deschamps will confirm his final France squad ahead of the June 6 deadline. Below is his stacked preliminary panel
- 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 (Inter Milan), 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 (Paris St-Germain), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco)
- FORWARDS: Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain), Bradley Barcola (Paris St-Germain), Ousmane Dembele (Paris St-Germain), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris St-Germain), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan)
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- Predicted England Euro 2024 squad and Paddy Power odds for 23-man group
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