Didier Deschamps, France’s longest-serving national team coach, has decided not to renew his contract when it expires in 2026, according to the French Football Federation.
Deschamps’ contract runs until after the next World Cup, for which France has yet to qualify.
The 56-year-old replaced Laurent Blanc in 2012 and led France to the World Cup title in 2018, just two years after reaching the European Championship final on home soil. As a former captain, he is one of only three people to have won football’s top honour both as a player and a coach. He also guided the team to the 2022 World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Earlier on Tuesday, French sports newspaper L’Équipe reported that Deschamps would announce his decision on Wednesday.
