KYLIAN MBAPPÉ
The reasons why Mbappé will not go to the Olympic Games
Ahead of being unveiled by Real Madrid, Mbappé has not been selected for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris by Thierry Henry.
Two separate, but related, Kylian Mbappé sagas have been resolved within days of one another. We now know the attacker will be joining Real Madrid and that he will not be taking part in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Thierry Henry, coach of the French under-21 and Olympic team, has announced his preliminary list of players for the tournament, which doesn’t contain Mbappé's name.
Although that wasn’t always certain to be the case. French president Emmanuel Macron was among the influential public figures who pushed for Mbappé's inclusion, while the player himself had hinted at his desire to experience the Games on home soil.
Mbappé transfer to Real Madrid
It is believed Henry’s “real” list did include the forward, although the matter was ultimately taken out of his hands. With the Olympic Games not recognised by FIFA, club are the ones who have the final say.
Real Madrid kill Mbappé's Olympic dream
Real Madrid, who are officially expected to announce the signing of Mbappé in the coming hours, sent a letter to the French Football Federation a month ago stating they would not give permission for their French stars to play at the Olympics after also featuring at the 2024 European Championship. That includes Aurélien Tchouamñeni, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy, and now Mbappé.
Antoine Griezmann, France’s vice-captain behind Mbappé, was also not given the green light to take part in the tournament by Atlético Madrid.
France squad for the 2024 Olympic Games
- Goalkeepers: Lucas Chevalier, Guillaume Restes
- Defenders: Bafode Diakité, Maxime Estève, Bradley Locko, Castello Lukeba, Kiliann Sildillia, Adrien Truffert, Leny Yoro,
- Midfields: Akliouche, Chotard, Desire Doué, Manu Koné, Enzo Millot, Khephrén Thuram, Lesley Ugochukwu, Warren Zaïre-Emery.
- Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Arnaud Kalimuendo, Alexandre Lacazette, Mateta, Olise, Mathys Tel.
2024 Olympic Games soccer schedule: France to face USA
The 2024 Olympics officially get underway in Paris on Friday 26 July and run until Sunday 11 August, although the soccer tournament group stage actually starts on Wednesday 24 July, with the final set for Saturday 10 August.
France have been drawn in Group A alongside the United States, Guinea and New Zealand.
The soccer tournament will be played all over France (Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, Nice, Saint-Étienne) and is principally for under-23 teams, although coaches can select three over-age players on their roster.