France coach Didier Deschamps has announced his preliminary squad for the upcoming European Championship, including some notable inclusions and exclusions.
One of the surprises in the squad is the return of midfielder N'Golo Kanté, who has been performing well at Al-Ittihad in the Saudi league. Kanté, a key player in France's 2018 World Cup-winning team, has regained his form and fitness, prompting Deschamps to include him in the squad.
Another new face in the squad is Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, who has impressed with his performances for the club this season. The 21-year-old winger has shown excellent speed and dribbling skills, making a strong case for his inclusion in the national team.
Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy has also earned a recall to the squad after a period of absence. Mendy, who last played for France in September 2022, will bolster the team's defensive options.
However, PSG defender Lucas Hernández has been left out of the squad due to his recent injury and subsequent surgery for a ruptured ACL.
Deschamps has until June 7 to finalize his squad for the tournament, with a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26 allowed. France, a two-time European champion, will face Austria, Netherlands, and Poland in Group D.
Before the tournament kicks off on June 14 in Germany, France will play warm-up matches against Luxembourg and Canada to fine-tune their preparations.
The squad includes a mix of experienced players like Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud, as well as promising talents such as Eduardo Camavinga and Kylian Mbappé.
Overall, Deschamps has assembled a strong squad with a good balance of youth and experience, aiming to replicate the success of the 2018 World Cup campaign.
