The France Football Federation (FFF) “salutes and thanks” Didier Deschamps for the “exceptional” work achieved as head coach of the France Senior Men’s National Football Team.
Deschamps had his “last dance” as France manager in the FIFA World Cup 2026 third place match against England on Saturday 18 July, 2026 in Miami, United States (US).
The showdown had the Les Bleus beaten 4-6 by Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions.
Since 2012, Deschamps had managed the Les Bleus with “exceptional commitment”, the FFF wrote on X.
In a farewell tribute to Deschamps on Sunday, FFF wrote: “The FFF salutes and thanks the national team coach Didier Deschamps for the exceptional work accomplished at the helm of @equipedefrance since 2012.
“In leaving, in just a few days, his role as coach of the French National Team, Didier Deschamps brings to a close a quarter-century of exceptional commitment in service to Les Bleus and French football. There are careers that indelibly mark the history of an institution and a country.”
The former France midfielder, who won the World Cup as a player and coach, managed France with “love” and “embodied rigor and discipline”.
He won the World Cup in 1998 as Captain with France, and in 2018 as manager of France; he also Captained France to triumph (Champions) in Euro 2000.
FFF wrote: “Didier Deschamps embodied rigor, discipline, a sense of the collective, and a love for the blue jersey. Under his leadership, for fourteen years, the French National Team regained credibility, respect,
“and affection while remaining at the highest level worldwide, winning the 2018 World Cup, the 2021 Nations League, and reaching several major finals, all while maintaining unparalleled consistency.”
After recording “120” wins in “185” encounters, Deschamps, former Juventus player, leaves a “culture of responsibility” that will stand as “benchmark” for decades to come.
FFF further wrote: “Beyond the 185 matches played and 120 victories, Didier Deschamps passed on a culture of performance and responsibility that will remain a benchmark for generations to come.
“He nurtured the emergence of numerous internationals, united several squads around strong values, and helped strengthen the unique bond between the French people and their national team.
“Captain of the 1998 World Cup-winning team and the 2000 European Championship winners, then World Cup-winning coach twenty years later, Didier Deschamps holds a singular place in the history of French football. Few will have given as much to the blue jersey, first as a player and then as a coach.
“The FFF wishes to express its infinite gratitude to him.
“Thank you, Didier!”
Photo: Didier Deschamps
