Deschamps to quit as France coach after 2026 World Cup

France World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps announced on Wednesday that he will leave his position after the 2026 World Cup.

The 56-year-old, who has been at the helm since 2012, confirmed to French broadcaster TF1 that his tenure will end when his contract expires in the summer of 2026.

“It will be 2026,” Deschamps said. “It has to end at some point. It’s clear in my mind. I have done my time with the same desire and passion, but 2026 is good.”

Deschamps has had a storied tenure, leading France to World Cup glory in 2018 and guiding them to the 2022 final, where they lost to Lionel Messi’s Argentina on penalties. Despite extending his contract following that heartbreak, Deschamps faced criticism after France’s semifinal exit at the 2024 European Championship and debates over the omission of captain Kylian Mbappé from the squad.

Under Deschamps’ leadership, France rebounded from the controversies of the 2010 World Cup and became a dominant force in global football. As he prepares to conclude a remarkable 14-year stint, Deschamps remains focused on keeping France at the top in the final chapters of his coaching career.