Didier Deschamps will not be putting his reputation on the line at the 2026 World Cup, which will conclude his 14th and final season at the helm of the French men’s national football team. The closing of this long chapter will certainly weigh in the balance, but when the definitive assessment is made, he will be able to point to his longevity and achievements โ beyond his record of trophies, whether or not it includes another World Cup title.
After the 1998 victory, Aimรฉ Jacquet took the exit ramp to lasting glory. Following the 2018 triumph, Deschamps decided to continue his pursuit of trophies and, in 2022, reached his third international final out of a possible six. It was his second loss, after the defeat to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final. That may have dented his image as an inveterate winner, but it did not stop him from believing in a third star for France.
France’s smooth qualification for the summer 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico (June 11-July 19) dispelled any talk of “one mandate too many,” and by now it is clear that with these players and this coach, anything is possible.
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