An era that transformed French football is coming to an end as Didier Deschamps prepares to oversee his final match as head coach of the France national team, closing the curtain on a remarkable 14-year spell that restored Les Bleus to the summit of world football.
France’s third-place playoff against England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the final game of Deschamps’ historic tenure before he steps aside, with former France captain and Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane widely expected to become his successor.
Deschamps leaves behind one of the most successful coaching careers in the history of international football.
Appointed in 2012 following a disappointing period for the national team, the former France captain quickly rebuilt confidence, discipline and belief within the squad. His leadership helped transform France into one of the most consistent and feared teams in world football.
During his time in charge, France lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, claimed the UEFA Nations League title in 2021 and reached the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where they narrowly lost to Argentina after one of the greatest finals in football history. He also guided Les Bleus to multiple semifinal appearances, establishing an era of sustained excellence rarely matched in international football.
Although France fell short of another World Cup final after losing to Spain in the semifinals, Deschamps insisted that his final assignment remains important.
The veteran coach acknowledged that competing for third place cannot compare with playing in the World Cup final, but stressed that representing France always carries responsibility and pride. He urged his players to finish the tournament strongly and reward supporters with a positive result.
Several senior players have also expressed their desire to give their departing manager a memorable farewell.
Defender Ibrahima Konaté described Deschamps as a coach who changed French football and said the squad is determined to secure victory over England as a tribute to the man who has guided the national team for more than a decade.
Deschamps’ influence extends beyond trophies.
He successfully managed the transition between generations, overseeing the rise of stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, William Saliba and Michael Olise while maintaining France among the world’s elite. His tactical discipline, defensive organisation and calm leadership became defining features of his teams, even if critics occasionally argued that his talented squad could have played with greater attacking freedom.
As one of only a select few individuals to win the FIFA World Cup both as a player and as a coach, Deschamps has secured a permanent place among football’s greatest figures.
He captained France to their first World Cup triumph in 1998 before repeating the achievement from the dugout two decades later, an accomplishment that underlines his extraordinary contribution to French football.
Attention is already turning to the future.
Zinedine Zidane, another icon of French football, is widely expected to take charge after the World Cup. The former Real Madrid manager has long been linked with the national team and is regarded by many as the ideal candidate to continue the work started by Deschamps. While an official appointment has yet to be confirmed, reports suggest Zidane remains the overwhelming favourite for the position.
Should Zidane accept the role, he will inherit one of the most talented squads in international football.
France boast an exciting blend of experienced stars and emerging youngsters capable of challenging for major honours over the coming years. Players such as Mbappé, Eduardo Camavinga, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Saliba and Olise are expected to form the backbone of the next generation as France prepare for future European Championships and the next World Cup cycle.
For Deschamps, however, the focus remains firmly on ending his reign with dignity.
Victory over England would secure a third-place finish and provide a fitting conclusion to one of the most influential coaching careers in French football history. Regardless of the outcome, his legacy is already secure.
When he walks away from the touchline for the final time, Deschamps will leave behind a national team restored to global prominence, a generation of players shaped by his leadership and a record of consistency that few international managers have achieved.
If Zidane indeed takes over, he will inherit not only a gifted squad but also the enormous responsibility of building upon the foundations laid by one of France’s greatest football minds. The transition marks the beginning of a new chapter, but the achievements of Didier Deschamps will remain a lasting benchmark in the history of French football.
