France’s long-serving national team coach Didier Deschamps will soon conclude his era that shaped French football for over a decade. He is expected to leave the team following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Deschamps confirmed his decision on Wednesday, following widespread reports on Tuesday suggesting he had chosen not to seek a contract extension with the National Team.
As The Guardian reports, “In 2026 it will be over,” Deschamps told the French TV channel TF1. “In my head, it’s very clear. I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level but 2026 is [a] very good [time to stop]."
While the decision to leave the team after the 2026 World Cup feels monumental, it is also a natural conclusion to an extraordinary chapter. "One has to be able to say stop, there's a life after this. The most important is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years," he told TF1.
As Deschamps prepares for his final years with the French national team, he will still do his best and leave Les Bleus poised for continued success.
Deschamps, 56 and a former midfield powerhouse for Juventus and Chelsea, took over from Laurent Blanc in 2012. No doubt, he led France to its era of success.
In the past 14 years, he has led Les Bleus to remarkable achievements, securing their place among football’s top teams.
Deschamps won the 2018 World Cup and 2021 Nations League. He is only the third person to win the World Cup as both a player (1998) and a manager, joining Germany's Franz Beckenbauer and Brazil's Mario Zagallo.
He reached the finals of the 2016 European Championship, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 European Championship semifinals. However, his journey also included heartbreak, as France lost in the Euro 2016 and 2022 World Cup finals.
It's worth noting that Deschamps is France's most successful head coach, with a 64.2% win rate and semifinal appearances in the last four major tournaments. He is also one of the longest-serving and most accomplished national team coaches in history.
There is still much to be achieved until Deschamps leaves the French national team in 2026. He aims to keep France at the top.
The journey ahead promises more milestones for Deschamps and the team—let’s stay tuned to see where he can take them next.
