After bringing the team to the final in each of the previous two World Cups, Didier Deschamps announced on Saturday that he would continue as France’s coach through the 2026 tournament.
After the World Cup in Qatar, when France, the defending champions, fell to Argentina in a nail-biting final on December 18, Deschamps’ contract came to an end.
According to rumors, Deschamps insisted on being in command until the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico despite the fact that FFF president Noel Le Graet only planned to give him a two-year extension until the 2024 European Championship.
“I am going to announce something which for me is an immense pleasure, and that is that the president has decided to extend (my contract) until 2026,” Deschamps said at the FFF general assembly.
“I thank the president for his constant support and his continued confidence in me,” Deschamps added. “It is essential for the France team to function well.”
Deschamps, a former midfielder for Juventus and Marseille, led France to their first World Cup victory on home soil in 1998. In 2012, he was appointed France’s head coach.
He led France to victory in the World Cup in Russia, where they defeated Croatia 4-2 in the championship match, two years after leading Les Bleus to the Euro 2016 final, where they fell to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.
