Fourteen years of leadership came to a close in dramatic fashion. Didier Deschamps stepped off the French national team touchline for the final time following the World Cup 2026 third-place match against England, a tight 4-6 defeat that saw France recover from a 0-4 halftime deficit.

“This has been an extraordinary day for me, filled with everything the French team has meant in my life, even though all good things must come to an end,” Deschamps shared moments after the final whistle, his voice heavy with emotion. “The French team will be missed.”

His tenure concludes with an impressive record: 120 wins, 35 draws, and 30 losses, including lifting the World Cup trophy while suffering heartbreaking defeats in Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup finals.

“I loved every minute of it”

Even in his farewell appearance, Deschamps maintained his characteristic high standards when assessing his team’s performance. “The first half was disastrous,” he admitted candidly. “But then pride kicked in—we came so close to turning an impossible situation around. These are world-class players, young and full of potential. The ingredients for continued success are all there.”

Despite the bitter disappointment of falling short in the semifinals, Deschamps took time to publicly acknowledge his players, his own voice cracking with feeling: “I thanked them for the heartbreak of the semifinals, but also for the pride they showed in fighting back. They must always carry that fire under the French jersey—there’s nothing more important. I thanked them as people, too, because I’ve loved every moment of this journey, especially connecting with players of all ages. The future looks incredibly bright for them.”

Deschamps leaves behind a young squad, many of whom will still be in their prime when the next World Cup arrives in four years. “The expectations are high after these years of results, but pressure? No,” he reflected about his successor. “The quality is there—it takes many other elements to succeed. I’m incredibly proud of this group, of everything we’ve accomplished together. This was a united team. I’m proud of my staff, and yes, a little proud of myself too. It’s the end of my journey with the French team. I’m still young, but first I need to rest, enjoy my family, and recharge. As I always say, the best is yet to come.”