France coach Didier Deschamps told FIFA.com that the feeling of being a world champion is irreplaceable, but past achievements are now history, and young players must take responsibility and deliver their best performances.
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Deschamps prefers to focus on the task at hand and made it clear that he has no intention of resting on his laurels. He said: “I only think about today and tomorrow, that’s just how I am. To be honest, nothing else matters. I’m focused on what’s next. ” He added: “What happened in 1998 and 2018 will always remain in my heart, but the past cannot be changed. What matters now is what we do next. From 1998 to 2018, my role changed, but I was there both times. Both experiences were truly magical.” Deschamps continued: “I’m fortunate to have won trophies at club level, including the Champions League, and so on, but nothing beats being a world champion. Your name doesn’t change, but two words are added forever: world champion.”
Glorious World Cup Achievements
The upcoming 23rd World Cup is set to hold special significance for Deschamps, partly because it will be his last tournament as coach of the French team, and also because victory in the final on July 19 would further solidify his place in football history.
Only Deschamps, the late Mario Zagallo, and Franz Beckenbauer have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach. If France reaches the final again this summer, Deschamps will stand alone as the first person to reach three consecutive World Cup finals, having won twice as a coach and once as a player.
France enters this tournament as favorites once again, just as they did at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The former Juventus coach said: “Our results have created expectations for us. We lifted the trophy in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, so fans naturally expect to see France still in contention by mid-July. We are one of 10 to 12 teams that can realistically aim for the World Cup title. But do you know how many teams will ultimately win? Only one! That means there will be at least 11 disappointed teams.”
Group Stage and Squad Selection
To remain in title contention by mid-July, France must first navigate a difficult group stage. Norway and Iraq will both pose tough challenges, but the opening match against Senegal could prove decisive. The fixture inevitably brings to mind the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, when a star-studded French team, entering the tournament as defending champions, began their campaign with an unexpected 0-1 defeat to Senegal.
Regarding talk of revenge, Deschamps downplayed the notion: “At that time, my players weren’t even born, or weren’t old enough to understand that tournament. There’s no such thing as revenge in sports. That’s history. Now it’s a new chapter. Senegal is a top footballing nation in Africa.”
The French coach knows he can rely on an explosive attacking line against Senegal. Dembélé, the 2025 FIFA Best Player award winner, helped PSG retain the Champions League title, while Olise has also delivered impressive performances at Bayern. Captain Mbappé once again shone in the scoring charts this season, finishing as the Champions League top scorer with 15 goals.
Deschamps’ squad boasts abundant attacking talent, with Doué, Cherki, and Marcus Thuram all competing for forward positions. Deschamps warned: “They can’t all play. We have a lot of potential, but we need the right chemistry, and we can’t allow individual egos to hinder the team. We need balance and, most importantly, compatibility and cohesion.”
Despite France’s obvious talent, Deschamps remains cautious. He is well aware that if you believe you have reached the top, football will “bring you back to reality.”
On paper, France’s third consecutive final appearance seems entirely possible. Deschamps said: “In terms of individual talent, we have strong firepower, and I have plenty of options.”
Demanding Responsibility from Young French Players
Deschamps continued: “The only small issue I can point to for 2026, and it’s simply a fact, is that the players from 2018 had previously experienced 2014 and 2016. This time, I have many young players with limited experience in major tournaments.”
Regardless of a player’s experience, the former Chelsea and Marseille defensive midfielder has made his demands clear. Deschamps stated: “When players wear that jersey, they take on responsibility. It demands responsibility from them, and it demands performance from them. From day one, 14 years ago, I told them, ‘When you join the French national team, you are not here to take. You are here to give.’”
The more you give, the more you receive in return. Therefore, it is no surprise that, after leading France back to the pinnacle of world football, Deschamps is often stopped on the street by grateful fans. Deschamps said: “People are very kind. Whenever I meet them on the street, they thank me for everything I’ve done. I usually tell them, ‘You’re too kind, thank you. But now it’s time to focus on what’s next.’”
For Deschamps, the focus is always on the present and the next step. The two-time world champion has not yet considered life after the World Cup. Deschamps said: “Don’t ask me what I’ll do next, because I don’t know, but it will be fine anyway. The French national team has shaped my career more deeply than anything else: a total of 25 years, 11 on the field and 14 on the bench. It’s the best thing that has happened to me. I doubt I could find anything better. But who knows…”