Didier Deschamps to leave France national team head coach job after 2026 World Cup

Didier Deschamps, the long-serving head coach of the French men’s national football team, has announced that he will step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 56-year-old, who has been in charge since 2012, made the decision despite his contract running until 2026. Deschamps took over from his former teammate Laurent Blanc and has since guided France through a period of great success.

As a player, Deschamps was a key figure in France's victories in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, and he continued his legacy as a manager by leading the team to victory in the 2018 World Cup.

Deschamps holds the record as the longest-serving coach of the French national team. Under his leadership, France reached the semifinals in the last four major tournaments. He also won the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League for Les Bleus, and was runner up for the 2022 World in Qatar as well as the 2016 European Championship.

Reflecting on his decision to leave, Deschamps explained:

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 the right time to stop. One has to be able to say stop, there’s life after this. The most important thing is for France to remain at the top, as they have been for many years.

Likely successor?

French legend and former Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, is widely considered the favourite to succeed Deschamps.

Zidane, who was a former teammate of Deschamps in the national team, has an impressive managerial record, including three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid. His experience and stature make him a strong candidate to lead France into the future.

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