Didier Deschamps News

Mbappé and France advanced to the European Championship quarterfinals after Randal Kolo Muani's deflected shot secured a 1-0 win over Belgium on Monday. Kolo Muani sent in an effort in the 85th minute that looped up off Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen and over stranded goalkeeper Koen Casteels. France will play Portugal or Slovenia in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Antoine Griezmann, a key player for France over the past decade, announced on Monday that he is ending his international career with the French national team. The 33-year-old forward from Atletico Madrid, known as «Grizou» by fans, has played 137 matches for France and scored 44 goals in his 10-year career with the team.

Euro 2024 is gradually heading towards the knock-out Round of 16. So far, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, England, France, Netherlands have qualified from the group stage. While top two teams qualify for round of 16, four third-placed teams will also play in the knock-out stage.

France captain Kylian Mbappe should be available for their second European Championship group game against the Netherlands after breaking his nose in their opening 1-0 win over Austria, manager Didier Deschamps said on Thursday. The striker was injured in a collision with Austria's Kevin Danso, and the 25-year-old forward took to social media to ask for help in finding a protective mask so he could face the Dutch in Group D on Friday. «Everything is going in the right direction after this major shock he had, with the consequences, of course,» Deschamps told reporters.

Kylian Mbappe and France have been to the last two World Cup finals but are on a mission as they begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria on Monday, having endured disappointment in recent editions of the continental championship. Les Bleus won the World Cup in Russia in 2018, when a teenage Mbappe announced himself on the global stage, and only lost the 2022 final on penalties after an epic battle with Argentina in Doha. They also won the UEFA Nations League in 2021, but the European Championship is the one title that has evaded the French since Didier Deschamps became coach in 2012.

European Championship kicks off Friday, what can we expect? An outsider victory? A Kylian Mbappé-inspired French romp? England out in the group stages? Whatever we get, there will be drama. Here, six of The Athletic's writers give their predictions: Who will win the tournament?

France has emerged victorious in all five of their matches, while Ronald Koeman's Netherlands currently hold the second position in the standings, tied with Greece. This upcoming match holds significant importance for the Netherlands, especially considering they have an additional game in hand. The EURO 2024 tournament is scheduled to take place across Germany during the summer of 2024. Italy secured the EURO 2020 title after a dramatic penalty shootout against England. Unfortunately, Koeman's squad will be without several key players, including Cody Gakpo, Jurrien Timber, Sven Botman, Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Mark Flekken, Memphis Depay, Noa Lang, Teun Koopmeiners, Tyrell Malacia, and Steven Berghuis due to injuries. On the other hand, France's coach, Didier Deschamps, faces similar challenges with the unavailability of Wesley Fofana, Presnel Kimpembe, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, and Axel Disasi, all sidelined due to injuries.

France and Argentina are heading into Sunday's FIFA World Cup Final both dreaming of glory, and winning a third trophy.

France joins Argentina in the World Cup final, after beating a defiant Morocco side 2-0 in Doha. PSG star Kylian Mbappé played his part in both goals, scored by defender Theo Hernandez in the opening five minutes, followed by Randal Kolo Muani in the 79th minute.

Defending champions France's World Cup journey got off to a stellar start after subduing Australia with a 4-1 victory on Tuesday.