Didier Deschamps to remain with France until 2026

Didier Deschamps will remain head coach of France until 2026, the French Football Federation (FFF) has announced.

World Cup Winner in 2018 and runner-up in 2022, Deschamps earned the right to choose his future if he reached the semi-finals in Qatar.

After the end of the World Cup, Deschamps confirmed his intention to stay by signing his new contract, according to French outlet Le Parisien, on Friday 6 January. His new deal will run until 31 December 2026.

Zidane to look elsewhere

The new contract was negotiated with FFF president Noël Le Graët and the experienced head coach at a meeting on 29 December. Zinedine Zidane had long been rumoured to take over from Deschamps after the 2022 World Cup.

Deschamps will lead Les Bleus in Euro 2024, which will be held in Germany and at the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Le Parisien report that the only possible issue in negotiations was the duration of the contract, with Deschamps insisting on staying with France until 2026.