French Football Teams Gear Up for Summer Competitions
The president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, has confirmed that the French Olympic football squad, coached by Thierry Henry, will be finalized by July 3.
Henry is currently grappling with building the team due to several clubs, both French and international, refusing to release players. Nonetheless, Diallo is confident that the team will be highly competitive, drawing a parallel to their unexpected triumph in the 1984 Olympics.
Didier Deschamps, the head coach of the senior French national team, has also finalized his squad for the upcoming Euro 2024. The 25 players selected, including notable names like Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann, have been revealed without any changes since the initial list announced in mid-May. The team is set to face Austria, the Netherlands, and Poland in the group stages.
Deschamps will rely on experienced players like N'Golo Kanté, who has been recalled to the squad, and newcomers such as Bradley Barcola. The Blues aim to end their 24-year drought at the Euros, with the hope of winning a new international title after their recent World Cup final loss to Argentina.
- Thierry Henry has opted to work diligently on a daily basis with French and foreign clubs to field the best possible team for the Paris Olympic Games. Though faced with several refusals from clubs like Lille, Real Madrid, and Aston Villa, he remains hopeful.
- The finalized list of players for the Olympic team will be submitted to FIFA and the IOC by the July 3 deadline.
- As for the senior team, Kylian Mbappé, who will also be captaining the team, keeps his number 10 jersey. The team retains its traditional strengths with experienced players and young talent eager to prove themselves on the international stage.
