New York (AFP) – Didier Deschamps has had to cope with personal tragedy and the looming realisation that his long spell as coach of France is about to end, but he looks more at ease than ever at this World Cup having led the favourites into the semi-finals.
Issued on: 10/07/2026 - 22:20
3 min Reading time
On Thursday, France made light work of Morocco as goals by captain Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele gave them a 2-0 win in their last-eight clash in Boston."Right now we are only in the semi-finals. We have another step to go and it will obviously be really difficult," said Deschamps.The match next Tuesday in Dallas against the winner of Friday's clash between Spain and Belgium will be his and France's third consecutive World Cup semi-final.That confirms France's status as the superpower of modern international football. Previous teams to have reached three straight semi-finals are Germany, in 1982, 1986 and 1990, and Brazil (1994, 1998 and 2002).So what has been the recipe for success for Deschamps in achieving such consistency?"I don't know, having very good players, I guess. But I can't be doing my job too badly," he said Thursday in understated fashion."It is a human adventure and even though I chose the players, to be with this squad every day is very important."I am very happy on a personal level and also happy to see them enjoying themselves so much."His players have also made clear their affection for him, like when Mbappe celebrated a goal in the 3-0 last-32 win over Sweden by running over to embrace his manager.Deschamps, 57, had just rejoined his squad after making a return trip home following the death of his mother."It is in this squad's DNA to all be together and behind the coach, whatever happens. We wanted to make him feel like he was not alone," said Mbappe.Deschamps was still a relatively young man when he became France coach, this week 14 years ago.Les Bleus were in need of a fresh start after the fiasco of the 2010 World Cup, marred by a squad uprising against then-coach Raymond Domenech as they crashed out in the group stage.Aura and recordsLaurent Blanc took them to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals, but Deschamps truly transformed France.He had a particular aura, having captained his country to their first ever World Cup triumph, on home soil in 1998. Victory at Euro 2000 followed.
