Didier Deschamps to Step Down as France National Team Manager After 2026 FIFA World Cup | The Express Tribune

Didier Deschamps, who has led the France National Team as manager since 2012, will vacate his position following the 2026 World Cup in the US.

Appointed after a disappointing Euro 2012 campaign, Deschamps revitalized French football, guiding the team to a World Cup win in 2018, a UEFA Nations League title in 2021, and appearances in the finals of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

In an interview with French TV channel TF1, Deschamps revealed ““In 2026 it will be over. 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]. One has to be able to say stop, there’s a life after this. The most important [thing] is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.”

A 1998 World Cup champion as a player, Deschamps brought his leadership experience to the coaching role. He debuted with a strong showing at the 2014 World Cup and secured his legacy with France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in the 2018 final.

Under his guidance, the team also reached new heights with 105 wins in 165 matches, making him the longest-serving and most successful coach in the history of French football.

Deschamps maintained a close bond with his players throughout his tenure. Star forward Kylian Mbappé, reflecting on their relationship, stated, “I owe him everything. He’s the one who called me up, and since then, we’ve never been apart. It’s a beautiful relationship.”

Despite his achievements, Deschamps has faced recent challenges, including a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign and controversies involving key players such as Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann. These issues intensified scrutiny of his position, though his decision to step down is reportedly a well-considered conclusion.

Zinedine Zidane, who played alongside Didier Deschamps in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team, has expressed interest in managing the national team following a successful coaching career at Real Madrid, where he led the club to three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.

Zidane has not coached since his second spell at Madrid ended in May 2021.

Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, stated that it is premature to discuss a successor for Deschamps. “I won’t get into that debate [on Zidane],” Diallo told French newspaper L’Équipe. “Didier has a two-year contract and, out of respect for him, his staff, and the players, the question of his succession does not arise today.”

Before his departure, Deschamps will lead France in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals against Croatia in March 2025 and oversee the team’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup. These milestones will mark the final chapters of a career that has left a lasting impact on French football.