Didier Deschamps to Coach France One Last Time as Zidane Poised to Take Over

Didier Deschamps will lead the French national team for his final time in the third-place match against England during the 2026 World Cup. This match marks the end of Deschamps' tenure as head coach of Les Bleus. Behind the scenes, the French Football Federation (FFF) is preparing for Zinedine Zidane to succeed him as the new coach, an appointment expected to be announced within a week after the tournament concludes.

Following France's 0-2 loss to Spain in the semi-finals, criticism has mounted against Deschamps. However, Nathalie Iannetta, director of sports at Radio France, defended his long-standing contributions to French football and cautioned against dismissing his legacy despite recent disappointment. Meanwhile, player Rayan Cherki reflected on the semifinal defeat, stating, “We didn't lose against the referee, nor against Spain, but against ourselves.”

Preparations for Zidane’s arrival are progressing discreetly. His contract is reportedly ready though not yet signed, with no requirement for executive committee approval—scheduled to reconvene only in September. Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, informed committee members that the announcement will come soon after the World Cup, likely before July 21. To coincide with a new governance law in French football, the FFF aims to finalize Zidane’s contract before that date, with Minister of Sports Marina Ferrarri having approved a salary around €300,000, potentially rising to €450,000 with bonuses.

Zidane plans to assemble a substantial coaching staff exceeding 25 members, emphasizing inclusivity with a special focus on incorporating women, particularly in data-related roles. This reflects his commitment to modernizing the French team’s support structure.

As Deschamps closes his chapter with the national team, anticipation builds around Zidane’s fresh leadership and the future direction of French football on the international stage.