After appearing regularly in qualifying for Euro 2012, on 29 May 2012 M'Vila was named to the squad to participate in the competition. After missing the team's opening match against England due to an ankle injury, on 15 June, he made his debut at a senior international competition in the team's second group stage match against the Ukraine. M'Vila appeared as a substitute for Alou Diarra in the second half as France won the match 2–0.