World Cup 2026: The end of Didier Deschamps'
Didier Deschamps' era as France national team coach ends after a disappointing defeat by Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, leading to a farewell game in the third-place play-off.

World Cup 2026: The end of Didier Deschamps'
According to Bbc.
Background
Didier Deschamps has coached the French national team since 2012 and has set numerous records, including the most World Cup matches in charge. His retirement could change the dynamics of the team, especially for key players like Kylian Mbappe, who is seen as the team's future leader. The challenges facing the team will be crucial in preparing for the next big tournaments.
Why this is important
The elimination of France under Didier Deschamps in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup marks the end of an era marked by significant successes. Deschamps led the national team to a World Cup title as a player and coach, making him a central figure in French football. The disappointing defeat against Spain not only dashed hopes of another title, but also raises questions about the future of the team and its stars such as Kylian Mbappe.
Key findings
- World Cup 2026: The end of Didier Deschamps'.
- Didier Deschamps' era as coach of the French national team ends after a disappointing defeat against Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup, leading to a farewell game in the third place game.
- Didier Deschamps remains central to France's plans.
It will be no consolation, but Deschamps set a record for most World Cup games in charge in Dallas - 26 in total. He previously shared the record with former West German national team coach Helmut Schön. Deschamps had announced in January 2025 that he would retire after this summer tournament and will play his farewell match against the loser of the England-Argentina match in Miami on Saturday (22:00 BST). "It's not the time to talk about the future," he said in the post-match press conference. "It doesn't matter whether I leave a competition in the semi-finals or the final. I am extremely happy. I am very proud of everything we have achieved to get to this point and win a World Cup - to take the French team to the highest level. I was lucky as a player. I have experienced happy moments, today is not such a moment. We have to accept that without forgetting everything we have experienced.
Deschamps is one of only three people to have won the World Cup as both a player and coach - alongside Brazil's Mario Zagallo and West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer. His longevity as a coach is also rare these days - he led the national team for 14 years. He won 20 of his 26 World Cup games as France coach and lost just three times - including that loss to Spain in Texas. As a player or coach, he was involved in over half of the games France have ever won at World Cups - and the only two occasions when they won the title. Only three teams have previously reached at least the quarterfinals in four consecutive tournaments. In 2022, they lost to Argentina on penalties in the final and narrowly missed becoming the third team to defend the title.
More could have been expected from this team, with joint top scorer of the tournament Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele and rising star Michael Olise of Bayern Munich, supported by an established defense and solid midfield. "There was an extra motivation for all the players at this World Cup to give Didier the finish he wanted and that he deserved," said former France striker and BBC pundit Olivier Giroud. "He deserved to go through the big door. He didn't quite get there, but he's still great for what he's already achieved in his 14 years. His record speaks for itself." Giroud, who won the World Cup under Deschamps in 2018, added: "I think he is like a second father for some players, like a second dad. For me it wasn't quite like that, but he gave me his trust so many times and I tried to give him something back on the pitch. That makes us very close and because we won that World Cup we are linked forever. I always call him coach. When you're in the national team you don't have a lot of time to work on tactics work, and every coach has his philosophy. For Didier it was more like: 'You're great players, I'll give you some freedom on the pitch'. Of course he also gave some instructions to keep your balance so that you always knew where each player was
Eler would be located. The biggest thing he taught us was his desire, his drive and his ambition to be the best and win every single game. His competitive mindset was very clear. Former France full-back Gael Clichy, who played in the first year of Deschamps's tenure, praised his former coach on BBC Radio 5 Live. Deschamps, who previously coached Monaco, Juventus and Marseille, took over from Laurent Blanc in 2012 after France's poor performance in tournaments, with the team being eliminated in the group stages of the 2008 European Championships and the 2010 World Cup. At the latter event, the team refused to train due to a dispute with coach Raymond Domenech. At Euro 2012, Laurent Blanc made a slight improvement by reaching the quarter-finals, only to be beaten by eventual winners Spain. But the transformation under Deschamps was significant, as he maximized France's regular talent development and created a largely unified team under his leadership. Deschamps failed to make a decisive breakthrough at the European Championships, but France reached the final on home soil in 2016 and the semi-finals in 2024. "His legacy is that he brought a team that was underperforming back to its peak," said the former Arsenal and Manchester City spi
eler Clichy, who coaches third division club Caen. "This legacy really means that we don't have to talk about what he should have or could have done. What he did for French football as a player and coach is fantastic. It's phenomenal." The favorite to succeed Deschamps as France coach is his former teammate Zinedine Zidane. ESPN reported in March that a verbal agreement had already been reached for Zidane to take over this summer. Clichy added: "The one who comes after Deschamps will have a hard time. It won't be easy.
What happens next
France will now compete in the third-place match, which represents a final chance for many players, including Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, to prove themselves in the 2026 World Cup. Deschamps' retirement will usher in a new era for the French national team and it remains to be seen who will be chosen as the next coach to develop the team's talents. The 2026 World Cup will also be an opportunity for the next generation of players to make their mark and lead France back to the top.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Didier Deschamps after France was eliminated?
Didier Deschamps' era as coach of the French national team ends after the 0-2 defeat against Spain in the first semi-final of the World Cup.
Who has that? Comments on France's elimination from the World Cup?
Former France midfielder Patrick Viera expressed disappointment with the team's performance.
Why is Didier Deschamps resigning now?
Didier Deschamps had already announced in January 2025 that he would step down after the summer tournament.
What changes have there been in the French national team?
France showed a poor performance in the semi-finals with only ten shots, the lowest number in World Cup history.
What is the next step for Didier Deschamps?
Deschamps will play his farewell game against the loser of the England-Argentina game in Miami.
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Häufig gestellte Fragen
- What happened to Didier Deschamps after France was eliminated?
- Didier Deschamps' era as coach of the French national team ends after the 2-0 defeat against Spain in the first semi-final of the World Cup.
- Who commented on France's exit from the World Cup?
- Former France midfielder Patrick Viera expressed disappointment with the team's performance.
- Why is Didier Deschamps resigning now?
- Didier Deschamps had already announced in January 2025 that he would step down after the summer tournament.
- What changes have there been in the French national team?
- France put in a poor performance in the semi-finals with just ten shots, the lowest in World Cup history.
- What is the next step for Didier Deschamps?
- Deschamps will play his farewell game against the loser of the England-Argentina game in Miami.
- What happened in this story?
- World Cup 2026: The end of Didier Deschamps' summarizes the main development covered in this report.
- Who confirmed this news?
- See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.
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