Didier Deschamps has postponed any discussion of his future as France prepare for one final match under their long-serving head coach.
Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final ended with a 2-0 defeat to Spain in Arlington on Tuesday.
Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Pedro Porro doubled Spain’s advantage after the interval.
The result means France will face the loser of Wednesday’s semi-final between England and Argentina in the third-place play-off in Miami on Saturday, July 18.
Read also: “His Tour could be over”: Expert warns Pogačar after dangerous descent
For Deschamps, the fixture will also bring an end to 14 years in charge of the national team.
Deschamps refuses to look beyond Saturday
Deschamps announced in January 2025 that he would step down following the World Cup, meaning the defeat to Spain was his final opportunity to reach another major final with France.
However, the 57-year-old stressed that the tournament was not yet over.
“It’s not time to talk about the future,” Deschamps said, according to SABC Sport’s report from his post-match press conference.
Read also: Trump on the World Cup trophy role: “There could be some awkwardness”
“It is not important on a personal level whether I leave a competition in a semi-final or a final.
“I am extremely happy. I am very proud of everything we have done to reach this stage and to win a World Cup, to take the French team to the highest level.”
Deschamps also reminded reporters that France still had a responsibility to finish the competition professionally, even if the third-place match was not the fixture they had expected to contest.
France must recover from disappointment
The France coach acknowledged that the players had been devastated by the manner of the defeat.
Read also: “Sport cannot be separated from politics”: Denmark backs EU funding threat
France entered the semi-final having won all six of their previous matches, but struggled to reproduce the attacking football that had carried them through the tournament.
“We’re going to play the third-place match,” Deschamps said, as quoted by beIN SPORTS.
“I don’t want to dismiss everything that’s been done, but in this match Spain showed something extra.
“I’m not thinking about myself. I prepared for the match with the players and with the aim of doing everything possible to go all the way.
Read also: Spain handed an encouraging helping hand before World Cup final
“We didn’t succeed, so the disappointment is strong. But I don’t take away from all the good things we did.”
France produced only 0.3 expected goals against Spain and registered three efforts on target.
Deschamps admitted his team had lacked technical accuracy and energy, while Spain were able to control the midfield and restrict Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise.
Final chapter of a historic reign
Deschamps has been in charge of France since July 2012.
Read also: “We have not received a response”: Croatia demand VAR audio from FIFA
He led the country to the Euro 2016 final before winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia. France later lifted the Nations League trophy in 2021 and reached another World Cup final in Qatar the following year.
Deschamps also became only the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach, following Mário Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer.
FIFA confirmed his planned departure in January 2025, when Deschamps explained that the 2026 tournament would be the right time to bring his reign to an end.
Although France will not conclude his tenure in Sunday’s final, the third-place play-off offers the players an opportunity to give their coach a winning farewell.
The match is scheduled for Saturday at Miami Stadium, with France’s opponent to be determined by the result between England and Argentina. FIFA’s official tournament schedule confirms that it will be the final fixture before Sunday’s World Cup final.
Only after that match will Deschamps turn his attention to whatever comes next.
