Didier Deschamps confirms he will step down as France coach after 2026 World Cup
Updated 08/01/2025 at 13:16 GMT
Didier Deschamps' tenure as coach of the France national team is coming to a close. The former France international has confirmed that he will step down following the 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Deschamps led France to World Cup glory in 2018, while they suffered the agony of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Lionel Messi's Argentina in the 2022 final.
'It will end in 2026' - Deschamps to step down as France coach after World Cup
Video credit: SNTV
Didier Deschamps has confirmed he will step down as coach of the France national team after the 2026 World Cup.
The 56-year-old’s future has been a hot topic of debate for some time, with calls for his resignation coming after the defeat to Spain in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
Deschamps remained at the helm, but he has now revealed that his tenure will come to a close after the next World Cup.
"In 2026 it will be over. In my head it's very clear," Deschamps told French broadcaster TF1.
"I've done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level.
"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."
Deschamps’ current contract is due to expire in 2026, and when he leads the team out in the United States, Mexico and Canada - provided France qualify - it will mark his fourth World Cup in charge of Les Bleus.
After taking charge in the summer of 2012, France reached the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup, won the trophy in 2018 and were beaten by Argentina on penalties in 2022.
He is one of only three men to win international football’s most prestigious prize as a player and coach, having captained his nation to glory on home soil in 1998.
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The European Championship proved elusive to Deschamps as a manager - he won it as a player in 2000 - with defeat to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016 on home soil being his best performance.
Prior to taking the France role, Deschamps had managerial stints at Monaco, Juventus and Marseille.
While the World Cup will be the focus, Deschamps has the chance to secure a second Nations League title as France face Croatia in the quarter-finals in March.
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