Didier Deschamps to call up first France’s squad of the year on March 16th

France’s national team manager Didier Deschamps will call up his first squad of the year on Thursday March 16th, according to a report from L’Equipe. The 2022 World Cup runners-up will start their campaign to qualify for the 2024 European Championships, which will be held in Germany. Drawn in group B with Netherlands, Ireland, Greece and Gibraltar, Les Bleus will host the Ronald Koeman-led Dutch team on March 24th at Stade de France. Three days later, France will face the Boys in Green at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.

For the first time in a decade, Deschamps won’t call up goalkeepers Hugo Lloris (36) and Steve Mandanda (37) as well as centre-back Raphaël Varane (29) or forward Karim Benzema (35). All four have announced their international retirements in the aftermath of the heartbreaking loss in the 2022 World Cup final against Argentina. As reported exclusively by Get French Football News, PSG forward Kylian Mbappé (24) is the frontrunner to be given the skipper’s armband.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval