Didier Deschamps has handed N'Golo Kante a shock recall to the France squad for Euro 2024.
Les Bleus are among the favourites to lift the trophy in Germany but do not have a wealth of household names available in central midfield, while also being impacted by the injury absence of Aston Villa’s Boubacar Kamara.
Kante, 33, last played for his country in the summer of 2022 but will have the chance to add to his 56 caps despite moving to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad last year.
France have left out Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku following his injury-hit debut campaign in west London and have also overlooked Michael Olise, the London-born Crystal Palace winger who has played for the country several times at youth level.
Nkunku’s Chelsea teammates Axel Disasi and Malo Gusto have also not made the cut but Premier League trio Alphonse Areola, William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate are included.
Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez would have likely made the team, but misses out due to injury.
Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola is included for the first time alongside stalwarts such as Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann.
Deschamps has opted to pick a 25-man squad immediately, despite 26 being allowed and many other nations naming preliminary lists ahead of the June 7 deadline to officially declare each selection.
France play Luxembourg and Canada in warm-up friendlies next month before kicking off their Euros against Austria on June 17, with further group games scheduled versus the Netherlands and Poland.
France Euro 2024 squad
GK: Areola, Maignan, Samba
DEF: Clauss, T. Hernandez, Konate, Saliba, Upamecano, Pavard, Kounde, F. Mendy
MID: Camavinga, Y. Fofana, Kante, Rabiot, Zaire-Emery, Tchouameni
ATT: Mbappe, Barcola, Giroud, Griezmann, Kolo Muani, M. Thuram, Dembele, Coman
