France name squad for Euro 2024, with captain Kylian Mbappe leading Les Bleus and key midfielder recalled after TWO years away from Didier Deschamps' group
- This will be Mbappe's first major tournament as captain since named in 2023
- Three Premier League names make the cut and raft of Paris Saint-Germain stars
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Didier Deschamps has called up Arsenal star defender William Saliba, Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate, and West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola as part of his France squad for June's European Championships in Germany.
But the surprise inclusion is former Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, who returns to international duties two years after receiving his last call-up in June 2022.
After leaving Stamford Bridge last summer, Kante has been featuring in Saudi Arabia for Pro League side Al-Ittihad, where he has managed to steer clear of the persistent injuries which pockmarked his final two seasons in west London.
Kylian Mbappe will lead the side this summer after moving on from his seven-year stint at Paris Saint-Germain this week.
A number of his former team-mates will be joining him in Germany, including 21-year-old Bradley Barcola, who is Deschamps' sole debutant in the experienced squad.
![Kylian Mbappe will lead France for the first time at a major contest in Germany this summer](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/16/20/84973411-13427447-image-m-18_1715886237826.jpg)
Kylian Mbappe will lead France for the first time at a major contest in Germany this summer
![Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate (left) has been selected by Didier Deschamps](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/16/20/84974139-13427447-image-a-24_1715886317850.jpg)
![Arsenal star William Saliba has been called up after a stunning season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/16/20/84974181-13427447-image-m-23_1715886308697.jpg)
The Premier League will be represented by Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate (picture left in left image) and Arsenal's William Saliba (right) in France's squad
![One surprise name in the squad is N'Golo Kante (pictured on duty for France in June 2021)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/16/20/84974303-13427447-image-a-25_1715886323013.jpg)
One surprise name in the squad is N'Golo Kante (pictured on duty for France in June 2021)
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The youngest player, however, is 18-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery, who received his first call-up in November last year for France's European qualifiers against Gibraltar and Greece.
Rounding out the players from the Ligue 1 championship-winning side are Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani.
Squad veteran and France's record goalscorer Olivier Giroud will likely make his international swansong at this summer's tournament at the age of 37, a week after his upcoming move from AC Milan to Los Angeles FC was announced.
France last won a European Championship in 2000, and were knocked out in the round of 16 three years ago after defeat to Switzerland on penalties at the National Arena in Bucharest.
![France's record goalscorer Olivier Giroud is the oldest name on the team sheet at 37](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/16/20/84974315-13427447-image-a-26_1715886335045.jpg)
France's record goalscorer Olivier Giroud is the oldest name on the team sheet at 37
![The youngest is Mbappe's soon-to-be former team-mate Warren Zaire-Emery, who is 18](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/16/20/84974321-13427447-image-a-27_1715886340495.jpg)
The youngest is Mbappe's soon-to-be former team-mate Warren Zaire-Emery, who is 18
![As is tradition, Deschamps announced his selections for the tournament on French television](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/16/20/84974539-13427447-image-a-28_1715886539059.jpg)
As is tradition, Deschamps announced his selections for the tournament on French television
This summer's contest will mark the first time Mbappe will sport the captain's armband at a major tournament, after he was awarded the honour in March 2023 following the retirement of Hugo Lloris.
France have been drawn into Group D alongside Poland, Holland, and their first opponents Austria, who Deschamps' side will face in Dusseldorf on June 17 to open their campaign.
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