Didier Deschamps, the legendary coach who has led France to numerous footballing triumphs, has announced his decision to step down as manager following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Deschamps, 56, has been at the helm of Les Bleus since 2012, making him the longest-serving coach in the history of the French national team. Under his stewardship, France has experienced a golden era, claiming the 2018 World Cup in Russia, reaching the finals of both the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2016, and winning the UEFA Nations League in 2021.
“In 2026 it will be over. In my head, it’s very clear,” he 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.”
A Legacy of Success
Deschamps, a former midfielder, is one of only three men—alongside Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer—to win the FIFA World Cup as both a player and a manager. He captained France to their first World Cup victory in 1998 and led them to European Championship glory in 2000.
After taking over from Laurent Blanc following France’s quarter-final exit at Euro 2012, Deschamps quickly transformed the team. He guided France to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and then to the Euro 2016 final on home soil, where they narrowly lost to Portugal.
His crowning achievement came in 2018 when Les Bleus lifted their second World Cup trophy after a scintillating 4-2 victory over Croatia in Moscow. Four years later, France reached the final once again, only to lose to Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
A Stellar Career
Before becoming a manager, Deschamps enjoyed an illustrious playing career. Known for his defensive prowess and leadership, he earned 103 caps for France and won 14 major trophies at club level, including Champions League titles with Marseille and Juventus and an FA Cup with Chelsea.
As a coach, he has proven equally adept, achieving success with Monaco, Juventus, and Marseille before taking charge of the national team. Remarkably, he has won at least one trophy with every team he has managed.
The Road to 2026
France has yet to begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their group assignment hinges on the outcome of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March.
Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining France’s status as a global football powerhouse. “The most important thing is for France to stay at the top, as they have been for many years,” he said.
As the football world anticipates his final tournament in charge, Deschamps’ legacy as one of the greatest figures in French football history is already secure. Fans and players alike will undoubtedly aim to send him off in style, potentially with another World Cup triumph in 2026.
