Is Didier Deschamps leaving France after the 2026 World Cup?

Didier Deschamps is France’s greatest ever manager and he will lead his country into a fourth World Cup this summer.

Deschamps won the World Cup as a player in 1998 before going on to succeed with his nation as a manager 20 years later.

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He has made history in his post and almost went back-to-back in the competition in 2022, losing to Argentina in the final.

But this year’s tournament is going to be extra special for him, as the 57-year-old has decided to step away from his role…

Is Didier Deschamps leaving France?

After 14 years as France manager and becoming their longest-ever serving boss, Deschamps will leave after the World Cup.

He revealed the news to TF1 in January of last year, saying: “I’m not here to make an announcement, but it will be 2026.

“I’ve been here since 2012, I’m scheduled until 2026, the next World Cup. It will stop there because it has to stop there at some point. In my head, it’s very clear.

“I did my time with the same desire, the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level.

“We never want it to end when it’s a beautiful thing. Afterwards, we have to know how to say stop.

“There is life after. I don’t know what it will be but it will be very good too. It’s going to be 14 years, that’s a long time too.

“I’m not here for the records, especially for the demands. The most important thing is that the French team remains at the top where it has been for many years.”

Deschamps has since gone on to clarify that he won’t be retiring from management, making himself available for new roles.

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Who will take over from Deschamps?

France are going to be looking for their first new manager since 2012 after Deschamps departs following the World Cup.

But they’re bound to be delighted with their next boss…

Zinedine Zidane has been widely reported to have already reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation (FFF).

The iconic midfielder is expected to succeed Deschamps, five years after his last role as a manager.

Since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, Zidane has not had another job, but did reveal his dream to lead the national team last year.

He said: “I’d like to be the head coach of the France team one day.”

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And it seems like he will be achieving that goal when Deschamps steps back from his position after the World Cup.

Before that though, the France manager will hope to take the country to one more Jules Rimet trophy.

Deschamps’ side, that includes Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and many other superstars could go all the way again.

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