Didier Deschamps announced on Friday that he will lead the French national squad for the final time during the World Cup third-place play-off against England. While admitting that he will certainly miss the role he has held since 2012, he insisted that there will be no tears shed at the end of his journey.
The 57-year-old manager oversaw a highly decorated era for France, which included winning the 2018 World Cup and returning to the final in Qatar. Despite entering the 2026 tournament with hopes of securing a third title, the team fell to Spain in the semi-finals, resulting in a meeting with England in Miami this Saturday.
Reflecting on his 15-year tenure and his time as a player, Deschamps described the experience as the highlight of his career. He noted that although the team is disappointed not to be competing for the championship trophy, they remain committed to treating the upcoming match with professional seriousness. He emphasized that both England and France must fulfill their duty to perform, even though this is not the fixture either side originally desired.
