Projected France Starting XI at Euro 2016

Coauthored by Jeremy Roth and David Talpalar

Projected Starting Eleven and its Significance for the Tournament

 

Being that this Euro Cup will take place in France, the French national team will certainly face an elevated level of pressure and criticism from both fans and the media. As a result, it is imperative for France to put its best foot forward both on and off the pitch. Considering its history with issues of racism and discrimination, it will be extremely interesting to see how the nation will react and respond to the fact that France’s projected starting eleven for this summer’s Euro Cup could be comprised of at least 7 players who have non-French heritage. Based on the accounts of the French triumph 1998 World Cup in France, it is clear how winning can be the tool to unite a country deeply affected by racial turmoil. However, failure in major tournaments, such as the 2010 World Cup, has also proven to be a trigger that can reignite racial tensions. Euro 2016 has given France a unique opportunity to yet again take a step in the right direction and utilize the tournament as a platform to show the rest of Europe and world that it will genuinely take strides to unify a historically fractured French society. Based on one its most recent matches, we believe that this will be France’s starting eleven as the hosts get set to kick off the tournament against Romania on June 10th:

 

Hugo Lloris (goalkeeper)

Bacary Sagna (right back)

Laurent Koscielny (center back)

Raphaël Varane (center back)

Patrice Evra (left back)

Paul Pogba (center midfield)

Blaise Matuidi (center midfield)

Lassana Diarra (defensive midfield)

Olivier Giroud (striker)

Antoine Griezmann (striker/winger)

Anthony Martial (winger/striker)

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Projected 4-3-3 formation for France during the Euro 2016

 

How to cite this article: “Projected France Starting XI at Euro 2016” Written by Jeremy Roth and David Talpalar (2016), European Cup 2016 Guide, Soccer Politics Blog, Duke University, http://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/european-cup-2016-guide/identity-and-the-french-national-team/notable-players-in-the-projected-french-squad-with-african-heritage/ (accessed on (date)).