France v England could be Deschamps’ last match as France coach at World Cup 2026

France’s World Cup 2026 third-place play-off against England could mark the end of an era for Les Bleus, with Didier Deschamps widely expected to step down after the game and Zinedine Zidane tipped to replace him.

The two European heavyweights meet on Saturday evening having both been knocked out in the semi-finals – France by Spain and England by Argentina.

While the match is officially a play-off for third place, its significance for France stretches far beyond a consolation medal. It is likely to be the final chapter in Deschamps’ 12-year reign in charge of the national team, one of the most successful periods in France’s football history.

French and Spanish media reports say the 57-year-old will leave his post after the tournament, clearing the way for Zidane – a national icon as a player and a three-time Champions League-winning coach with Real Madrid – to take over.

The French Football Federation has not confirmed any change and Deschamps himself has not publicly announced a decision.

Historic pattern weighs against Deschamps

Deschamps goes into what could be his farewell match with history seemingly stacked against him.

According to French statistics outlet “Stats Foot”, he will be the first France manager since Henri Guerin to end his tenure against England. Guerin’s last match in charge was a 2-0 defeat to the Three Lions at the 1966 World Cup.

The numbers also suggest that France coaches tend not to bow out on a high.

Stats Foot notes that six of the last seven France managers lost their final match with Les Bleus. The only man to break that sequence was Aime Jacquet, who signed off in triumphant fashion by leading France to a 3-0 victory over Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final in Paris.

France’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 semi-final was described domestically as one of their most painful World Cup exits in decades, ending hopes of a second title under Deschamps in three tournaments.

One of France’s greatest coaches

Despite the cloud of uncertainty, Deschamps’ record places him among the elite of international coaches.

He guided France to the World Cup title in 2018, beating Croatia 4-2 in the final in Moscow, and took them back to the final in 2022, where they were edged out by Argentina on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw.

In 2026 he led his side once more to the last four, underlining France’s status as a consistent force at the top level of the international game.

Under his stewardship, France have reached three consecutive World Cup semi-finals, a feat matched by very few national teams in modern history.

Zidane waiting in the wings

Reports in France and Spain say that, once Deschamps steps aside, Zidane is lined up to assume the role of head coach.

The 1998 World Cup winner has long been linked with the national job and has previously spoken of his desire to manage France one day. His potential appointment would be seen as a natural continuation of a golden generation, with a former captain succeeding his former team-mate and ex-France skipper Deschamps.

For now, though, attention turns to Saturday’s play-off against England – a match that, on paper, decides only third place but in reality may close one of the most successful chapters in France’s footballing history.