France Squad Announced for Euro 2024 Qualifiers – Brothers Khephren and Marcus Thuram in
France coach Didier Deschamps called up brothers Khephren and Marcus Thuram for upcoming European Championship qualifiers against the Netherlands and Ireland on Thursday.
Their father, Lilian Thuram, played alongside Deschamps when France won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000.
Lucas, Théo, and Marcus Hernandez played for France at the World Cup in Qatar last year, along with Deschamps.
He is the elder brother of Khéphren, a 21-year-old midfielder who impressed at Nice this season and was called up for the first time.
Three days later, France will play Ireland in Dublin before hosting the Netherlands at Stade de France on March 24.
As a result of a tense quarterfinal match against the Netherlands, France lost on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final.
In the wake of Lloris’ retirement, Deschamps must choose a new captain, with Kylian Mbappé among the leading contenders. Mbappé became only the second player to score a hat trick in a World Cup final with France losing to Argentina in the final.
After a rift between the two players, Deschamps refused to answer any questions about Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
With cryptic messages and emojis online, Benzema has disputed Deschamps’ version of events at the World Cup in Qatar.
“I don’t look at social networks,” Deschamps said, adding that he would not comment further on Benzema.
France squad:
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United/ENG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich/GER), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)
Midfielders: Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Khephren Thuram (Nice), Jordan Veretout (Marseille)
Forwards: Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich/GER), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan/ITA), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt/GER), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Moenchengladbach/GER)
