World champion N’Golo Kante is set for a surprise return to international football as France coach Didier Deschamps announced the 25 players that will make up the French squad for Euro 2024 on Thursday.
Kante, who left Chelsea last summer to join Saudi club Al Ittihad, has not represented France since June 2022. The 2018 World Cup winner was the biggest surprise in Deschamps’ squad, but the 33-year-old’s experience will undoubtedly be an asset to youngsters Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola, who also made the squad after impressive seasons with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Winger Barcola, 21, is the only uncapped player in the squad but earned his place with a strong finish to the season, particularly shining in the knockout stages of the Champions League against Real Sociedad and Barcelona.
Also making a return to the international fold is Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy, who has not played for France since September 2022 but has been a regular for his club, who are on course for a Spanish league-Champions League double.
Star attacker Kylian Mbappe was included in the squad, along with Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, and Arsenal defender William Saliba.
Mbappe enters the tournament in fine form, despite uncertainty about his future after confirming he would leave PSG this summer. The France captain has scored 44 goals so far this season and can add to that tally in his team’s remaining Ligue 1 match and the French Cup final.
Aurelien Tchouameni, who is a doubt for June’s Champions League final, Mike Maignan, and Kingsley Coman all made the squad despite currently carrying injuries.
PSG’s Lucas Hernandez missed out after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in May.
Following a defeat in the final at home in 2016 and a disappointing early exit in 2021, France enters Euro 2024 among the pre-tournament favourites, aiming for a third European Championship win after victories in 1984 and 2000.
France will begin their Euro campaign in Germany on June 17 against Austria, before taking on the Netherlands four days later and completing their group-stage matches against Poland on June 25.
