Didier Deschamps will coach France for the final time on Sunday. The third-place match against England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup closes a 25-year chapter. “France has occupied 25 years of my life, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve experienced,” he said at his final press conference.
France’s history is a study in extremes. The 1998 World Cup triumph and Euro 2000 victory were followed by the group-stage exit in 2002 and the player mutiny in 2010. Deschamps captained the 1998 team. He inherited a fractured squad when he took over as coach in 2012.
His redemption arc was methodical. He instilled discipline and a team-first ethos. France reached the 2014 quarterfinals. They won the 2018 World Cup. They finished runners-up in 2022. Key moves included integrating Kylian Mbappé and managing star egos.
The third-place match is often dismissed as a consolation. Deschamps disagrees. “Fighting for third place is a responsibility,” he said. “No team wants to be in this game, but we have a duty to finish well.” France faces an England side led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham. Mbappé leads the Golden Boot race with eight goals. Kane and Bellingham have six each. Ousmane Dembélé has five.
France leads the all-time series 32-32. A win would give France its seventh podium finish. England would claim its first in 60 years.
Defender Ibrahima Konaté said the team wants to win for their coach. “We should be grateful to him. We will give everything to win this game for him.”
Deschamps leaves a legacy of resilience. He transformed a history of curses into a dynasty. The curtain falls on Sunday. The question of who succeeds him remains. The game kicks off at 5:00 AM Beijing time on July 19.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why is this match considered a redemption for Deschamps?
- A: Deschamps inherited a fractured French squad after the 2010 player mutiny and group-stage exit in 2002. He instilled discipline and a team-first ethos, leading France to the 2018 World Cup title and 2022 runners-up finish, culminating in this third-place match as his final game.
- Q: What is at stake in the third-place match between France and England?
- A: France aims for its seventh podium finish, while England seeks its first in 60 years. The game also features a Golden Boot race between Kylian Mbappé (8 goals) and Harry Kane/Jude Bellingham (6 each).
Extended Reading
For live coverage and streaming details of the 2026 World Cup third-place match, refer to the official FIFA broadcast partners. The match will be available on major sports streaming platforms globally.