Fourteen years of leadership and a rollercoaster match—perhaps too intense for his liking—marked Didier Deschamps’ final appearance as coach of the French national team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff. France fell to England after a thrilling 4-6 defeat, rebounding strongly after trailing 0-4 at halftime.

“Today has been a very special day for me, filled with everything the French team has meant in my life—though all good things must come to an end,” Deschamps shared with beIN Sports. “The French team will be missed.” He departs with a record of 120 wins, 35 draws, and 30 losses, including one World Cup title and two runner-up finishes at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

“I had a blast”

Even in his farewell press conference, Deschamps maintained his high standards when assessing his team’s performance. “The first half was catastrophic,” he admitted. “But then pride kicked in—we nearly turned an impossible situation around. These players are world-class, young, and full of potential. They have what it takes to stay at the top.”

Despite the loss, the coach publicly praised his squad, visibly moved: “I thanked them because there was disappointment after the semifinal, but they showed pride in their response. They must always carry that fire under the French jersey—nothing comes above it. I also thanked them on a personal level because I thoroughly enjoyed these weeks, particularly the exchanges with players of all ages. The future looks bright for them.”

He leaves behind a young squad, most of whom will still be in their prime for the next World Cup in four years. “With the results we’ve achieved over the years, there’s an expectation—but not pressure,” the 1998 World Cup winner said about his successor. “The quality is there, though many other ingredients are needed. I’m incredibly proud of them, of everything they’ve accomplished together. There’s a united group. I’m proud of my staff—and a little of myself, too. This is it for me, at least as far as the French team is concerned. I’m still young, but first, I’ll focus on my loved ones and recharge. As I always say, the best is yet to come.”