After France's defeat in the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup against Spain, the focus in the Gallic country has already shifted to the immediate future. Didier Deschamps, who has been at the helm of Les Bleus for years, will bring his successful cycle to an end, and the name that is most often mentioned to replace him is Zinedine Zidane.
Before this World Cup began, it was already known that this would be Deschamps' last tournament in charge of the national team. The elimination in the semifinals accelerated discussions about his successor, and in France there is no doubt: Zizou is the main candidate.
Deschamps leaves an impressive legacy. Captain of the 1998 World Cup title and coach of the star achieved in 2018, he managed 186 matches and led France to decisive stages in multiple competitions. Fourth in Brazil 2014, champion in Russia 2018, finalist in Qatar 2022, and now semifinalist in 2026. Additionally, he was runner-up in Euro 2016 and lifted the Nations League in 2021.
With that track record, his departure was planned and is now materializing. Zidane, who was Deschamps' teammate both in the national team and at Juventus, is ready to make the leap.
