In the Euro 2024 tournament, players from France have been actively encouraging citizens to participate in parliamentary elections. Conversely, the England team has adopted a stance of staying apolitical, with defender John Stones labeling their camp as a “politics-free zone” amidst the UK’s general election where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party is expected to face a challenge from the Labour Party.

Stones focused on discussions about England’s upcoming quarterfinal match against Switzerland, the team’s growing self-confidence following a comeback victory over Slovakia, and an injury on his right knee. He admitted to being unaware of his teammates’ voting plans, highlighting that they tend to keep such matters private.

This contrasts sharply with the French players who have been engaged in the Euro 2024 tournament amid a heated election season in their country. The first round of French parliamentary elections, dominated by the far-right National Rally, took place recently. Defender Jules Koundé expressed disappointment at the country’s political direction, while star striker Kylian Mbappé has been advocating for young people to vote, cautioning against extremist influences.

As France progresses to the quarterfinals after defeating Belgium, attention turns to the upcoming runoff elections that will determine the French parliament’s composition. The timing of these elections coincides with France potentially playing Portugal in the quarterfinals, which could affect the team’s preparation for a possible semifinal match.