France coach Didier Deschamps is departing Les Bleus following the team’s exit from the 2026 tournament.
The dreams of the 57-year-old, who won the World Cup as a player (in 1998) and a manager (in 2018), of winning it a third time are over after their 2-0 defeat by Spain in Tuesday’s first semi-final.
Deschamps confirmed in January 2025 that he would step down after this summer’s tournament and will mark his farewell game against the losers of England v Argentina in Miami on Saturday, July 18.
“It’s not time to talk about the future,” he said in his post-match news conference. “It is not important on a personal level whether I leave a competition in a semi-final or final.
“I am extremely happy. I am very proud of everything we’ve done to reach this stage and to win a World Cup – to take the French team to the highest level.
“I have been lucky as a player. I have enjoyed happy moments. Today is not such a moment. We must accept it without forgetting everything we experienced.”
Deschamps is one of only three people to win the World Cup as a player and manager alongside Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer.
Deschamps became France’s manager after Euro 2012 and oversaw the team at the 2014 World Cup (quarterfinals), Euro 2016 (runners-up), 2018 World Cup (champions), Euro 2020 (round of 16), 2022 World Cup (runners-up) and Euro 2024 (semifinals).
Deschamps made 103 appearances for the French national team from 1989-2000, calling it quits after captaining his country to victory in Euro 2000.
Former France teammate Zinedine Zidane is set to succeed Didier Deschamps as the head coach of the France Men’s National Team.
