# France Turns to Zidane as Deschamps' 14-Year Reign Comes to an End

> Zinedine Zidane is set to take over as France's head coach on September 1, ending Didier Deschamps' 14-year reign, which closed with a 6-4 loss to England in the World Cup 2026 bronze medal match in Miami.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Football · **Published:** 2026-07-19 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/football/deschamps-ke-14-sala-ke-saphara-ke-bada-aba-france-ki-kamana-snbhalenge-zinedine-zidane-8646 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps, France football team, FIFA World Cup 2026, Kylian Mbappe, Bukayo Saka

France's football federation is turning the page on a golden era, with Zinedine Zidane, the former Les Bleus midfielder, expected to step into the national team dugout on September 1 as head coach, taking over from Didier Deschamps, whose reign in charge lasted 14 years.

## A Painful Farewell in Miami
Deschamps' long stint in charge of the French national team wound down on a difficult note. Les Bleus were beaten 6-4 by England in the third-place playoff of the FIFA World Cup 2026, played in Miami on Saturday local time, closing out the tournament without a podium finish for France.

## Saka's Hat-Trick Undoes a Spirited Comeback
England surged into a 4-0 half-time cushion, with the goals coming from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and Bukayo Saka. France tried to claw their way back into the contest in the second half: Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola found the net once more, but the fightback fell short. Saka completed his hat-trick to keep England ahead, and Jude Bellingham put the result beyond doubt with a stoppage-time goal. Amid the defeat, there was still a personal milestone for Mbappe, who moved to the top of the World Cup's all-time scoring charts with his brace in Miami.

## Fourteen Years That Reshaped French Football
Deschamps' reign began in 2012. Under him, France lifted the 2018 FIFA World Cup and reached a second final in 2022, before their 2026 campaign came to an end at the semi-final stage against Spain, a defeat that set up Saturday's bronze medal clash and, ultimately, his exit from the role.

## Federation Pays Tribute on Social Media
The French Football Federation posted on X to thank Deschamps for what it called an outstanding body of work since he took charge in 2012, framing his departure as the close of nearly two and a half decades of dedication to French football once his playing career is factored in.

> "There are careers that indelibly mark the history of an institution and a country," the federation said.

## A Reign Defined by Discipline and Consistency
The federation credited Deschamps with rebuilding the national team's standing on the world stage, pointing to his discipline, his sense of collective purpose and his devotion to the blue jersey as qualities that kept France competitive at the very top for over a decade, a run that produced the 2018 World Cup crown, the 2021 Nations League title, and appearances in several major finals along the way. It also noted that he took charge for 185 matches, winning 120 of them, while shaping what it described as a culture of performance and responsibility inside the squad. Beyond the results, the federation said he helped bring through generation after generation of internationals and deepened the relationship between the national team and its followers across the country.

## A Rare Double Distinction
The federation also highlighted Deschamps' unusual standing in the sport: he lifted the World Cup as France's captain in 1998 and won the European Championship as captain in 2000, before returning roughly two decades later to win the World Cup once more, this time from the touchline as coach. That combination, it said, gives him a singular place in French football history, one matched by very few figures who have given as much to the national team, first in boots and later on the sidelines.

## "Thank You, Didier"
Closing its message, the federation said Deschamps' impact would be remembered for years to come, both among staff at the Clairefontaine training base and by the countless supporters and volunteers who followed his journey, thanking him for the commitment and availability he showed throughout his time in charge.

## What this means for you
- **For football fans:** With Zidane taking over from September 1, expect a shift in playing style, squad selection and tactics for France's upcoming matches, including World Cup qualifiers and friendlies under the new coaching staff.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When will Zinedine Zidane take charge of France?
He is set to become Les Bleus head coach from September 1.

### 2. Since when was Didier Deschamps France's coach?
He had been in charge since 2012, meaning his tenure ran for 14 years.

### 3. Which match ended Deschamps' tenure?
His tenure ended after France lost 6-4 to England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 bronze medal match in Miami.

### 4. Who scored a hat-trick in that match?
England's Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick, with Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa also finding the net.

### 5. Who scored for France in the loss?
Kylian Mbappe scored twice and Bradley Barcola added one goal, though it wasn't enough to avoid defeat.

### 6. What milestone did Mbappe reach in this match?
With his brace, he became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer.

### 7. What major titles did France win under Deschamps?
The team won the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League, and also reached the 2022 World Cup final.

### 8. Why did the French federation call Deschamps' standing unique?
Because he captained France to the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship titles, then returned as coach roughly two decades later to win the World Cup again.

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