France Coach Didier Deschamps to Leave Role After 2026 World Cup

France coach Didier Deschamps has announced he will step down after the 2026 World Cup, with Zinedine Zidane tipped as his potential successor.

France's national team coach, Didier Deschamps, 56, announced on Wednesday that he will be stepping down from his position after the 2026 World Cup. Deschamps, who has been at the helm of the French team for over a decade, stated that he feels it is time for him to move on. His departure has sparked speculation about his potential successor, with Zinedine Zidane emerging as a strong contender for the role.

The French soccer federation (FFF) confirmed on Tuesday that Deschamps' contract, which expires in 2026, will not be renewed. While Deschamps' decision to leave has been made public, FFF president Philippe Diallo emphasized that it is premature to name a replacement. Despite this, Zinedine Zidane's name has been frequently mentioned in connection with the position, fueling speculation about his potential return to the national team setup.

France's national team, Les Bleus, is still in the process of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Despite this, coach Didier Deschamps has already made it clear that he will be stepping down after the tournament. In a recent interview with TF1, Deschamps stated, “In 2026 it will be over. In my head, it's very clear. I've done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level, but 2026 is a very good time to stop.”

Deschamps emphasized the importance of knowing when to move on, saying, “One has to be able to say stop, there's a life after this.” He also expressed his desire to see France continue to thrive at the highest level, stating, “The most important thing is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.” Deschamps has had a illustrious tenure as France's coach, taking over in 2012 and leading the team to the World Cup title in 2018, as well as the European Championship final in 2016.

Didier Deschamps has enjoyed a storied career as a coach, having won trophies with every club he managed before taking the reins as France's national team coach. His success with Les Bleus includes claiming the 2021 Nations League title. As a former France captain, Deschamps is one of only three individuals to have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach.

🚨🇫🇷 Didier Deschamps will leave France job after the World Cup 2026, statement now also confirms. pic.twitter.com/kYF4HLCger

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 8, 2025

Deschamps' tenure as France's coach has been marked by numerous accomplishments, including guiding the team to the World Cup final in 2022, where they ultimately lost to Argentina on penalties. This match is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the tournament's history. Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps' former teammate and a potential successor, has expressed interest in managing Les Bleus. Zidane had a distinguished coaching career at Real Madrid, leading the team to three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.

French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo has chosen not to speculate about Deschamps' potential successor, stating, “I won't get into that debate (on Zidane). Didier has a two-year contract and, out of respect for him, his staff and the players, the question of his succession does not arise today.” Diallo's comments, published in French sports daily L'Equipe on Wednesday, emphasize the FFF's commitment to supporting Deschamps throughout the remainder of his contract.