World Cup-winning France coach Deschamps to quit national team after 2026 World Cup

Didier Deschamps, France's successful national team coach, will not renew his contract after the 2026 World Cup.

Didier Deschamps, France's longest-serving national team coach, will not seek to renew his contract which expires in 2026, the French football federation (FFF) told Reuters on Tuesday (January 7, 2025).

Deschamps' deal runs until after the next World Cup, for which Les Bleus have yet to qualify.

The 56-year-old took over from fellow 1998 World Cup winner Laurent Blanc in 2012 and led Les Bleus to the World Cup title in 2018, two years after reaching the European Championship final on home soil.

The former France captain, one of only three people to win football's most prestigious prize as a player and a coach, guided the national team to the World Cup final again in 2022, losing to Argentina on penalties after one of the best matches in the tournament's history.

Earlier on Tuesday, French sports daily L'Equipe reported that Deschamps would make his announcement on Wednesday.

FFF president Philippe Diallo told Reuters Deschamps would not look to extend his stay after the World Cup, adding: "He will go until the end of his contract, i.e. 2026."

Deschamps, who had won trophies with every club he managed before becoming France coach, also claimed the 2021 Nations League title with Les Bleus.