Didier Deschamps, his record at the head of the Blues
This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-FIFA
While the coach of the France team has announced his departure after the 2026 edition, FIFA takes stock of his leadership of the Blues during the FIFA World Cup™.
Didier Deschamps announced that he would leave his position as coach after 2026
2014, 2018, 2022: a look back at Deschamps’ three FIFA World Cups™ as coach
His record, after more than a decade on the bench, is particularly rich
In the summer of 2026, a major page in the history of the Blues will turn with the announced departure of Didier Deschamps.
Arriving on July 8, 2012 at the head of the France team, he is preparing a final challenge with the 26 FIFA World Cup™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States, where he will try to guide the Tricolores towards a third final and a second coronation under his command.
Before that, FIFA presents his career as coach with the France team.
2014 World Cup: reconstruction operation
During his first World Cup in 2014, the mission of the former captain of the Blues is to make people forget the very delicate World Cup in South Africa in 2010. To do this, the coach is renewing the squad in depth.
Very spectacular in the group stage (8 goals scored after the first two matches), France progressed smoothly to the quarter-finals, where it was beaten by Germany (1-0), future winner of the tournament. During this World Cup, the young Raphaël Varane, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba (elected best young person of the tournament) distinguished themselves in the coach’s eleven.
After 6 years at the head of the Blues, the Holy Grail In 2018, Varane, Griezmann and Pogba have now become executives, accompanied by other more experienced players like Hugo Lloris, Blaise Matuidi and Olivier Giroud.
Present in Russia, N’Golo Kanté and Kylian Mbappé will also play an essential role in the coronation of the Blues. The first for his excessive activity in midfield, the second for his extraordinary qualities and his ability to make differences on his own. With this group, Didier Deschamps, already crowned as a player, offers a second star to the France team.
A new final in 2022
In 2022, the Blues go to Qatar with a crown to defend but the coach must deal with several injuries before the tournament (Mike Maignan, Presnel Kimpembe, Ngolo Kanté, Paul Pogba, Christopher Nkunku and Karim Benzema) and during the competition (Lucas Hernández).
Despite this, France became the first defending champion to reach the bottom of the competition since Brazil in 1998. As in 2006, the Blues lost in the final on penalties (3-3 ap, 4 tab to 2 ) against Argentina.
ALSO READ: 2006-2022: comparison of the 2 French defeats in the final
The notable players of the Deschamps era
To successfully complete his quest for trophies, the French coach relied on a solid base. Captain Hugo Lloris, often decisive in crucial moments, and Antoine Griezmann, appreciated for his technical qualities and his ability to repeat recovery efforts, will have played all the matches under the Deschamps era in the World Cup (19 each) .
The former OM coach will also have been able to rely on the dazzling performances of Kylian Mbappé (12 goals in the World Cup), the resilience of Olivier Giroud, who became top scorer in the history of the Blues under his orders, or the faithful Raphaël Varane, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba.
In the end, Didier Deschamps has 14 victories in 19 World Cup matches. In addition to his career in the world tournament, the French coach brought France to the final of UEFA EURO 2016, narrowly lost against Portugal after extra time (1-0), a round of 16 of the EURO 2020 and a semi-final of EURO 2024. In his record at the head of the Blues, DD also counts a victory in the 2021 UEFA Nations League.
Post-Qatar 2022
After a sensational World Cup despite the final defeat, several Deschamps executives announced their international retirement: Hugo Lloris and Raphaël Varane, then Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann more recently. The coach rebuilt his team, with a mixed performance at EURO 2024, despite a semi-final against Spain (2-1 defeat).
His troops are now preparing for a quarter-final of the League of Nations (in March against Croatia) which will decide their group in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The coach will try to lead his team to the American continent with hope of playing in a third consecutive final – and of winning a second coronation at the head of the Blues.
“The most important thing is that the French team remains at the top, as it has been for many years,” Deschamps simply declared when announcing that he would leave after his last challenge.
