Didier Deschamps faces final challenge with France before departure

Didier Deschamps delivered his last pre-match press conference on Friday, July 17, in Miami, ahead of the France-England third-place playoff. The French national team coach dedicated twenty-five minutes to addressing journalists’ questions about both the upcoming match and his own future with the team.

“I know full well that tomorrow marks the final curtain. While I don’t intend to make anyone cry—nor do I think anyone will—it’s true that the French team will be sorely missed. Twenty-five years of dedication leave their mark. But I’m an optimist by nature. What matters is always what lies ahead,” he revealed, reflecting on his upcoming departure after fourteen years as coach and eleven as a player.

a revamped squad for the final push

The coach was quick to dismiss any notion of underestimating the significance of the match, stressing that he and his staff would leave nothing to chance in their quest to achieve the competition’s ultimate goal. “We won’t complain. How many teams have already packed their bags? 44. We didn’t get the match we wanted, but there’s a duty to fulfill. When you represent France, you don’t come to collect—you come to give. There’s a responsibility that comes with wearing this jersey, one that millions of French fans who have felt the disappointment of recent days will understand.”

Deschamps remained tight-lipped about his starting lineup, though teammate Ibrahima Konaté had earlier urged that the strongest possible team be fielded. “If tomorrow we decide to rotate the squad and give players a chance, only to lose, we’ll have to face the consequences,” Konaté cautioned. “We are disappointed, but this is a France-England match. There’s history between these two nations, and we must respect that—just as we must respect the supporters.”

“No one will be playing out of obligation. There are no ‘easy’ selections. This is a real match. Will I rotate the squad significantly? At what stage? Yes, I will have to make choices. Some players simply cannot take the field, while others will be selected for tactical reasons,” Deschamps explained without revealing any names. Though William Saliba’s participation appears unlikely, Kylian Mbappé is confirmed to be available and could still finish as the tournament’s top scorer, whether this year or in the years to come.