Fourteen years of leadership and a match filled with emotions—perhaps more than he would have liked. Didier Deschamps concluded his final game as coach of the French national team in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff, where the Bleus fell to England in a thrilling 4-6 match after a strong second-half comeback from a 4-0 halftime deficit.

“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 reporters immediately after the match. “The French team will be missed.” He departs with a record of 120 wins, 35 draws, and 30 losses, including a World Cup victory and two major final losses—at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.

“I enjoyed every moment”

Even as he said goodbye, Deschamps maintained his high standards when assessing his team’s performance. “The first half was disastrous,” he admitted. “But afterward, there was pride. We came close to turning an impossible situation around. These players are exceptional, young, and full of potential to reach the top globally.”

Despite the loss, the departing coach praised his players openly, visibly moved: “I thanked them because there was disappointment after the semifinal, but also a sense of pride. They must always carry that fire under the French jersey—nothing comes above it. I thanked them as people too, because I’ve loved every minute of this journey, the joy of working with these young talents and veterans alike. The future looks bright for them.”

He leaves behind a young squad whose core will still be in their prime for the next World Cup in four years. “The results over these years have created expectations, but that’s not pressure,” he reflected on his successor. “The players have quality, but many other factors matter. I’m proud of them, of everything we’ve achieved together—a united group. I’m proud of my staff, and a little bit of myself too. It’s over for me, at least with the French team. I’m still young, but first, I’ll enjoy time with my family and rest. As I always say, the best is yet to come.”