Didier Deschamps announced Wednesday that he won鈥檛 continue as France coach after the next World Cup.
The 56-year-old Deschamps said in an interview with broadcaster TF1 that he will leave when his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
鈥淚鈥檝e been here since 2012, I鈥檓 scheduled to be here until 2026, the next World Cup, but that鈥檚 where it鈥檚 going to end because it has to end at some point,鈥� Deschamps said in excerpts of the interview to be aired later Wednesday.
鈥淚 did my time, with the same desire and the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level, but 2026 is all very well.鈥�
Deschamps started in his role as a successor to Laurent Blanc and led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup, also reaching the final in 2022 and at the 2016 European Championship.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, France reached the final and .
鈥淚鈥檓 not here for the records,鈥� Deschamps added. 鈥淭he most important thing is that the France team remains at the top as it has been for many years.鈥�
Europe will send 16 teams to the first 48-team World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026.
Deschamps did not elaborate on his future beyond the World Cup.
鈥淭here is a life afterwards.," he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know what it will be.鈥�
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AP soccer:
Samuel Petrequin, The Associated Press
