France –Participating Teams in the Euro Football 2024 Tournament

France are one of the participating nations in the 2024 European Championship, which takes place in Germany this summer. With a sensational footballing history and a squad gleaming with world-class talent, the French could be the team to beat. 

In this in-depth squad overview, we look back on how France qualified for the finals, analyse their expected performances in Germany, and highlight key players to watch during this summer’s showpiece event. Join us as we take a closer look at the France national team and their strengths going into the European Championships 2024 finals. 

The French Football Team in the Euro Football Tournament

To no surprise, France secured qualification with ease. As one of the top seeds, Didier Deschamps’ men were drawn into Pot 1 alongside England, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal. As a result, the top six nations will avoid one another in the group stage. 

France arguably have the strongest squad of all 24 European Championship nations competing in the tournament. They have talent all over the pitch, and Deschamps’ men are rightly one of the competition favourites. 

They have been on a great run of form under the experienced head coach, with Deschamps being in the dugout for 12 years. Les Bleus won the World Cup in Russia in 2018, seeing off Croatia in the final. 

They also reached the World Cup final in Qatar in 2022. They were involved in a six-goal thriller with Argentina, which went to penalties. Unfortunately for the French, the Argentinians held their nerve in the shootout to secure the win and get their hands on the coveted World Cup trophy. 

In terms of the Euro Championship, France are two-time winners. They won on home soil back in 1984 in their second Euro appearance. Having reached the semi-finals in England in 1996, the French secured a second European Championship victory four years later. They beat Italy in a memorable final in Rotterdam in 2000. 

After a few disappointing Euro campaigns, France reached another final in 2016. They were the favourites to see off Portugal on home soil, but Eder’s 109th-minute goal broke French hearts and handed the trophy to the Portuguese. 

France are hoping to be the top dogs of European football once again this summer, but they have a tough-looking group. The French were drawn into Group D alongside Netherlands and Austria. The play-off winners from Path A will also be in the group. 

Deschamps’ troops kick-start their 2024 European Championship campaign with a game against Austria in Dusseldorf on June 17th. The Austrians will be no pushovers, but France will be targeting all three points from game one. 

Their next Group D matchup is one of the most mouth-watering group games taking place this summer. The two-time European champions will face Netherlands, who are also looking to go far in the championship. That exciting matchup will take place at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig. 

France and Holland are expected to challenge for the top spot in the group. However, the first two teams will automatically qualify for the Round of 16 stage, while third place will be enough for four other nations. 

France’s third and final group game will take place at the stunning Westfalenstadion on June 25th. They will play one of the play-off winners, which could be Wales. The French could already be through by the time they make the trip to Borussia Dortmund’s famous arena.

The battle for first place in Group D will no doubt be fascinating. Although Netherlands are expected to be France’s fiercest opponents, Austria and the play-off A winners will be looking to put the cat among the pigeons. Qualifying as group winners will be no mean feat for either country. 

If France finish top of their group, they will face the runners-up in Group F in Leipzig in the Round of 16. The French will play in Dortmund and Berlin (twice) if they go all the way this summer. The final will take place at the Olympiastadion in the German capital on July 14th. 

France’s Road to the European Championship 2024

France have appeared in ten previous European Championship finals, winning the Euro Cup on two occasions. The 2024 edition will be their 11th European tournament. 

The French officially qualified on October 13th, 2023. They won Group B at a canter, collecting 22 points from a possible 24. Along the way, Les Bleus scored 29 goals and shipped just three.

France kicked off qualification with a thumping victory over Netherlands, which set the tone for a successful campaign. Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace, and Antoine Griezmann and Dayot Upamecano were also on the scoresheet in the 4-0 rout at the Stade de France.

France followed that up with away wins against Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar before home victories over Greece and Ireland. By this point, Deschamps’ men were yet to concede a single goal.  

France made sure of a place in the 2024 Euro Championships with an excellent win against the Dutch in October. Two goals from the sensational Mbappe helped Les Bleus to a 2-1 victory at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. 

Even though the qualifying job was complete, France were relentless against Gibraltar at the Allianz Riviera on matchday seven. They secured a 14-0 victory in Nice, which is their biggest-ever win. 

They dropped points against Greece in the final game, though the French did manage to preserve their unbeaten record in Group B. Youssouf Fofana scored 15 minutes from time to earn France a 2-2 draw in Athens. 

Overall, it was a dominant qualifying campaign by the World Cup runners-up. They finished four points clear of Netherlands at the summit, won seven of eight, and scored a staggering 29 goals. Mbappe was the group’s top scorer with nine goals, while Olivier Giroud helped himself to three. 

France’s Star Players in the Team

France will have one of the world’s best strikers in their squad this summer. Kylian Mbappe has terrified defenders since breaking onto the scene as a teenager, and the Paris Saint-Germain ace is only getting better with age. 

Mbappe had a stunning World Cup in Qatar, scoring eight goals to win the Golden Boot. Mbappe was on the losing side in the final, but the striker scored a memorable hat-trick at Lusail Stadium. 

Mbappe has already won the World Cup and a host of honours in club football, and he could be the man to watch out for in Germany this summer. 

On paper, France will arguably have the strongest squad in the competition. Deschamps can call upon many world-class footballers, including Theo Hernandez, Eduardo Camavinga, and Kingsley Coman.

Antoine Griezmann has been a mainstay in France’s attack for years. The Atletico Madrid playmaker has racked up well over 100 appearances for his national side since making his debut in 2014. Griezmann played in the 2-2 draw with Greece in November, which was his 84th consecutive France match. 

Griezmann will have a huge role to play for France this summer. He won the Golden Boot in the 2016 edition of the Euro Cup, scoring six goals to help his country to the silver medal. Mbappe may be the man to get the goals these days, but Griezmann is just as influential for the team. 

Deschamps has a vast array of attacking talent to choose from. Alongside Mbappe and Griezmann, the likes of Olivier Giroud, Ousmane Dembele, and Marcus Thuram could make an impact in Germany. 

France are also defensively sound. Arsenal’s William Saliba has been a rock at the back all season, while Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, and Lucas Hernandez are all reliable customers. 

France’s second team would give most nations a run for their money in the 2024 Euro Championship. They have been one of the top teams in the world over the past decade or so, and this current crop of French superstars will back themselves to go all the way in Germany this summer. 

France’s Chances of Winning the 2024 European Championship

When it comes to the tournament favourites, France are right up there at the top. Deschamps is one of the best managers in world football, and the French will have one of the strongest squads in the finals. 

After losing in the World Cup final in agonising style in 2022, France will be looking to bounce back in style by winning this summer’s Euro Championship. They are due some Euro Cup success, having not won the competition since 2000. 

France are many people’s favourites to lift the trophy in 2024. You can bet on every France Euro game right here at Unibet. We will have competitive odds and a huge betting market on all French matches taking place this summer.  

The likes of England, Germany, and Spain have their own ambitions for the 2024 European Championship, but the French could be the team to beat on German soil. With a top manager and the perfect blend of youth, experience, and talent in the team, France will take some stopping this summer.