Soccer / Didier Deschamps announces his departure after 2026: A new chapter begins for Les Bleus
The head coach of the French national team, Didier Deschamps, has confirmed that he will leave his position after the 2026 World Cup, marking the end of an extraordinary era. “I’ve been here since 2012. […] It will stop there because at some point, it has to. In my mind, it’s very clear,” he stated on Wednesday, reaffirming his intention not to extend his tenure beyond this timeframe. World champion in 2018 and finalist in 2022, Deschamps, 56, has kept the French team among the best in the world for over a decade.
Under contract until 2026, Deschamps has already achieved remarkable results, including reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024. He will now focus his efforts on the two remaining major challenges: the 2024 Nations League and the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
With this announcement, Deschamps hints that he is ready to pass the torch after 14 years leading Les Bleus. His departure will mark a turning point for the French team, which will need to find a successor capable of maintaining the high level established by the former world champion.
