The regular football season is coming to an end in most countries, and so the focus is slowly shifting to next month: the European Championship 2024 in Germany. The selections of all participating countries will be announced in the coming weeks, something they have until June 7 at the latest. Which 26 players will the national coaches take with them to the final tournament, and who will stay at home? Football zone zooms in on the options that the national coaches of the most important countries have. In this edition: France.

The French will look back on the previous major final tournament with mixed feelings: the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They reached the final, where Argentina took better penalties (4-2) after a blood-curdling match (3-3). So no extension of the world title for France.

During the previous European Championship, three years ago, France was very disappointing. After coming first in a group including Portugal and Germany, the eighth final was already the end point: Switzerland was too strong after penalties.

Next summer, France may be seen as the top favorite to win the tournament. During the European Championship qualifying, where lesson Bleus were also in the group with the Netherlands, seven of the eight matches were won. This summer, France must first survive a group with the Netherlands, Austria and Poland. The country is particularly strong offensively, and there are also many young talents around. Who will ultimately take national coach Didier Deschamps to Germany? That will be announced on Thursday, but Football zone is already looking ahead.

Goalkeepers

All of France held their breath for a moment when Mike Maignan was injured during AC Milan's Europa League match with Slavia Prague, but his knee injury ultimately turned out not to be too bad. In March he was in the selection for France's friendlies against Germany (0-2 defeat) and Chile (3-2 win), and he also played against the latter country. At the end of April he suffered another injury, this time to his thigh, but he seems fit in time for the European Championship.

It is expected that Maignan will be France's first goalkeeper next summer. After Hugo Lloris ended his international career after the 2022 World Cup, Maignan has played nine of the twelve international matches played since then.

During the three international matches that Maignan did not keep after the 2022 World Cup, Brice Samba was the goalkeeper. It is therefore expected that he will also go to Germany. Five-time international Alphonse Aréola will most likely complete the trio.

Options: Alphonse Aréola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (RC Lens).

Mike Maignan is most likely France's first goalkeeper at the European Championship.

Defenders

Deschamps has stated quite emphatically that William Saliba has not yet found his best form in the France shirt. Yet it is quite possible that he will be in the starting line-up at the European Championships, probably next to Ibrahima Konaté – provided the latter is fit. The latter is not always a certainty with the Liverpool defender.

An alternative that Deschamps has in central defense is Dayot Upamecano. Lucas Hernández could also have played in that position, but he has to miss the European Championship due to a cruciate ligament injury. Jules Koundé and Benjamin Pavard are also options in the centre, but could also be deployed at right-back.

Theo Hernández is the biggest favorite to start as left back, especially now that his brother Lucas is injured. In the right back position, Jonathan Clauss has to compete with Koundé and Pavard. By the way, Clauss dropped out against Chile in March with a hamstring injury, but he has since recovered.

With Benoît Badiashile, Malo Gusto, Axel Disasi, Jean-Clair Todibo and Ferland Mendy, France also has a number of other excellent defenders. However, they were not in the selection during the last international match, so it is very questionable whether they will go to Germany. Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana appears to have to miss the tournament anyway, as he has still not recovered from a cruciate ligament injury.

Options: Benoît Badiashile (Chelsea), Jonathan Clauss (Olympique Marseille), Axel Disasi (Chelsea), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernández (AC Milan), Malo Gusto (Chelsea), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (FC Barcelona) , Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jean-Clair Todibo (OGC Nice), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

It is very questionable whether Benjamin Pavard can count on a starting place next summer.

Midfielders

Deschamps' favorite midfield in France now seems to be set. Adrien Rabiot has become an important player for his country in recent years and will probably start in midfield next to Antoine Griezmann. The latter plays as a striker for his club Atlético Madrid, but for France he is often an attacking midfielder. That's a great success.

Normally, Aurélien Tchouaméni completes the midfield, but it is not yet certain whether he will be fit in time for the European Championship. In the semi-final of the Champions League against Bayern Munich, the Real Madrid player suffered a small fracture in his foot.

The French now have an excellent bench, including Youssouf Fofana and Eduardo Camavinga. Eighteen-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery, who immediately scored during his international debut against Gibraltar in November, is also someone to keep an eye on.

If Deschamps sees a midfielder drop out injured, Mattéo Guendouzi or Jordan Veretout seem to have a chance of being called up. Khéphren Thuram, who made his international debut against the Netherlands last year, can also still hope a little.

Options: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (AS Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), Mattéo Guendouzi (Lazio), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Khéphren Thuram (OGC Nice), Jordan Veretout ( Olympique Marseille), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain).

Antoine Griezmann, France's attacking midfielder, is invaluable to his country.

Attackers

He may be 37 years old, but it is 'normal' that Olivier Giroud will come to Germany. France's all-time top scorer can even hope for a starting spot, not least because he gets along well with star player Kylian Mbappé on the field. Moreover, Giroud does have stiff competition, especially from Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.

If Kingsley Coman, who is currently still recovering from a thigh injury, is fully fit again next summer, it is expected that he will be preferred to Ousmane Dembélé in the right wing position.

Moussa Diaby was called up again after a year last international break and can still hope for the European Championship selection. Bradley Barcola, talent from Paris Saint-Germain, also seems to have a chance, although he has never been in the selection of lesson Bleus. Christopher Nkunku will probably not go to Germany: he has been plagued by injuries all season.

Options: Bradley Barcola (Paris Saint-Germain), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain), Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (Paris Saint-Germain), Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea), Marcus Thuram (Inter).

Still going strong: 37-year-old Olivier Giroud is France's all-time top scorer with 57 goals.

Probable setup

Maignan – provided he is fit – will undoubtedly be under the bar. Saliba and Konaté are expected to form the heart of the defense, although there is also competition from Pavard and Upamecano, among others. Theo Hernández, who was also in the starting line-up during the European Championship qualifiers against the Netherlands, seems to become the left back. It is more difficult to predict who will become right back, but at the moment Deschamps seems to prefer Clauss.

The midfield, with Tchouaméni, Griezmann and Rabiot, seems almost certain – provided the former reaches the European Championship. Up front, it is expected that Mbappé and Giroud will be accompanied by Coman, provided he is also fit of course.

Probable European Championship line-up France: Maignan; Clauss, Saliba, Konaté, Theo Hernández; Tchouaméni, Griezmann, Rabiot; Coman, Giroud, Mbappe.

Important absentees

As it stands now, at least defender Lucas Hernández and midfielder Boubacar Kamara will miss the European Championship. Both have a cruciate ligament injury. It will also be a difficult story for the currently injured Fofana and the injury-prone Nkunku. In the meantime, Tchouaméni and Coman are still doubtful, as mentioned.

Someone who won't be there anyway is Paul Pogba. The Juventus midfielder was suspended for four years earlier this year due to doping and therefore appears to have already played his last international match. The 91-time international was still an important link for France at the 2018 World Cup.

Absent: Lucas Hernández (Paris Saint-Germain), Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa), Paul Pogba (Juventus).

This article is an update of an earlier news item. The comments below the message may therefore be less current.

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