Thierry Henry names preliminary 25-man France squad for Paris 2024

Thierry Henry today (3 June) announced France's preliminary men's football squad for the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The legendary French forward and 1998 FIFA World Cup winner, who was appointed as the head coach of the men's Olympic team in August last year, revealed the 25-man squad during a press conference at the France Football Federation headquarters in Paris. The final 22-player list will be announced on 3 July.

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The preliminary squad includes former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette, Crystal Palace duo Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise, as well as PSG’s highly-rated midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel.

Les Bleus have previously won two medals at the Olympic Games, including silver on home soil in Paris back in 1900 and gold at Los Angeles 1984.

Alexandre Lacazette could provide veteran leadership for Olympic team

Teams that compete at Olympic football competitions are allowed to include three players over the age of 23 and France will surely benefit from the presence of veteran striker Alexandre Lacazette.

The 33-year-old has won 16 caps for the French senior national team (scoring three goals), and won the FA Cup with Arsenal as well as the Coupe de France and Trophée des Champions with Lyon.

"[Lacazette] is a great player, a true leader and we are aware of what he can deliver on the pitch," Henry said.

The Lyon striker has racked up 555 appearances during his club career, scoring 253 goals and adding 87 assists.

Crystal Palace duo set to add firepower to Les Bleus' attack

Joining Lacazette as part of a formidable French forward line are Crystal Palace pair Michael Olise (22) and Jean-Philippe Mateta (26).

Mateta was one of (if not the) most in-form players in the final weeks of the English Premier League, scoring nine goals in the final six games to finish the season with 16 goals. Born and raised in Sevran, a suburb of Paris, Mateta has yet to represent the French senior team, though he has played at the U19, U20 and U21 levels.

Olise is one of the most sought-after talents in world football. Though he was injured for much of the 2023-24 campaign, the rapid winger was still able to showcase his talent, contributing 10 goals and 6 assists in 19 games.

France's preliminary men's Olympic football squad - full list

Goalkeepers

• Lucas Chevalier
• Obed Nkambadio
• Guillaume Restes
• Robin Risser

Defenders

• Bafodé Diakité
• Maxime Estève
• Bradley Locko
• Castello Lukeba
• Kiliann Sildillia
• Adrien Truffert
• Leny Yoro

Midfielders

• Maghnes Akliouche
• Joris Chotard
• Désiré Doué
• Manu Koné
• Enzo Millot
• Khephren Thuram
• Lesley Ugochukwu
• Warren Zaïre-Emery

Attackers

• Bradley Barcola
• Arnaud Kalimuendo
• Alexandre Lacazette
• Jean-Philippe Mateta
• Michael Olise
• Mathys Tel

France men's football schedule - Paris 2024

France's group stage fixtures at the Olympic Games is as follows:

Wednesday 24 July | 21:00 kick-off | Stade de Marseille

• France v United States

Saturday 27 July | 21:00 kick-off | Stade de Nice

• France v Guinea

Tuesday 30 July | 19:00 kick-off | Marseille Stadium

• New Zealand v France

READ MORE:

• The full football calendar at the Paris 2024 Olympics