Deschamps’ era with France ends after World Cup semi-final exit

By Brian Otieno — 15 July 2026 — 3 min read

Deschamps’ final tournament

Didier Deschamps’ tenure as manager of the France national team is set to conclude following their exit from the World Cup semi-finals. The team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Spain in Dallas, ending their aspirations of winning the tournament. This match marked Deschamps’ 26th World Cup game as manager, setting a new record for the most games managed in the competition, surpassing Helmut Schon’s previous mark of 25.

Deschamps, who has been in charge since 2012, had confirmed in January 2025 that he would step down after this summer’s tournament. His final match will be the third-place play-off against the losers of the England versus Argentina match in Miami on Saturday.

The semi-final performance saw France manage only 10 shots, their lowest total in the World Cup, with an expected goals (xG) of just 0.3. This was a notable shift from their earlier impressive attacking displays in the tournament. Former France midfielder Patrick Vieira expressed disappointment, stating that the team’s top players were absent and that collectively, their performance was poor.

Kylian Mbappé acknowledged that the team failed to execute their strategy of pressing Spain high up the pitch, which allowed Spain to control the game. Despite the defeat, Deschamps expressed pride in the team’s achievements, including winning a World Cup and consistently bringing the French team to a high level.

A legacy of success and debate

Deschamps is one of only three individuals to have won the World Cup as both a player and a manager, alongside Brazil’s Mario Zagallo and West Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer. His 14-year tenure as national team manager is considered rare in modern football. Under his leadership, France won 20 of his 26 World Cup games, losing only three times, including the recent defeat to Spain.

His teams have reached the quarter-finals or better in four successive tournaments, a feat achieved by only three other teams. France also reached the 2022 World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina on penalties, narrowly missing the chance to retain the trophy. Deschamps also guided France to the final of the Euros in 2016 and the semi-finals in 2024.

Former France striker Olivier Giroud, who won the 2018 World Cup under Deschamps, stated that there was extra motivation for the players to give Deschamps the desired ending. Giroud described Deschamps as a significant figure for many players, akin to a second father, and praised his desire and competitive mindset.

While Deschamps’ record includes a World Cup win, another final, and two semi-finals, some critics argue that with the abundance of extraordinary talent at his disposal over the years, one trophy might be considered merely par. There has been debate regarding his tactical approach, with some suggesting he was often too cautious, prioritising control over unleashing the team’s attacking potential.

Looking ahead to a new era

The recent tournament saw a shift in France’s playing style, with a more attacking approach that garnered admiration. However, this change in strategy was ultimately tested against Spain, who managed to stifle their offensive capabilities. Spain’s dominance in midfield, particularly against France’s central pairing of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot, was a key factor in the semi-final.

The question of whether Deschamps should have introduced an additional midfielder against stronger opponents was raised, as the attacking quartet struggled to receive the ball consistently. This tactical dilemma highlighted the challenges of balancing France’s creative talent with defensive solidity.

The favourite to succeed Deschamps as France manager is former teammate Zinedine Zidane. Reports from March indicated a verbal agreement for Zidane to take over this summer. Zidane, who won the 1998 World Cup alongside Deschamps, previously managed Real Madrid, where he secured three Champions League trophies before his second spell ended in 2021. Former France full-back Gael Clichy noted that the next manager will face a significant challenge in following Deschamps’ successful tenure.

Zidane will inherit a team with high expectations and will need to decide whether to maintain the existing offensive structure or implement a new model that reflects his own coaching philosophy.

Source: bbc.com