France Begins Euro 2024 Training at Clairefontaine

After unveiling the 25-player squad, the start of France's training camp marks the next step in their Euro 2024 conquest, with 20 players beginning preparations at Clairefontaine in rainy conditions but brimming with ambition.

All players are present except for the Real Madrid and AC Milan contingents, who will join on Monday according to coach Didier Deschamps. Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and injured Aurélien Tchouameni are finalizing for the Champions League, while Theo Hernandez and Olivier Giroud played a Milan friendly in Australia against Deschamps' wishes.

From captain Kylian Mbappé, who arrived last in the persistent rain, to first-arrival Jonathan Clauss making his major tournament debut, the mood was upbeat. N'Golo Kanté, back after a two-year absence, had a "natural, smiling" return to the familiar Clairefontaine castle.

The first day was calm, with outdoor cycling canceled due to weather. Double training sessions begin Thursday, focused on "getting oxygen" until Sunday before intensive preparation with friendlies against Luxembourg and Canada. France's Euro 2024 opener against Austria is June 17 in Düsseldorf.

Deschamps defended his most-used center-back pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Ibrahima Konaté despite limited recent playing time, noting "they played a lot this season." He said Jules Koundé training at right-back for Barcelona helped prepare him for that role.

As the "human adventure of a major tournament" begins, Deschamps wants optimism and a united team spirit, insisting "the notion of a group, cohesion, unity, solidarity" alongside quality is vital, even if it doesn't win matches alone.

The objective, with expanded squads, is "not to lose anyone Collective strength, it's not something that wins the match, but without it, it's complicated to hope to be competitive."