Deschamps Says France World Cup Favourites Before Final Reign

Didier Deschamps said France are among the favourites as france world cup preparations move into his final tournament as manager. The 14-year stint has already delivered two World Cup titles, three major finals and a Nations League crown.

Deschamps and France

“We’re among the favourites,” Deschamps said, adding that the label is earned by what France have done and the results they have achieved. He also said, “The most important thing is today and tomorrow, and tomorrow is the World Cup.”

That outlook fits a coach who has spent 14 years shaping the same national side across different cycles. Deschamps started in 2012, captained France to the 1998 World Cup title and managed them to the 2018 title.

France’s changing guard

France have reached four of the last seven World Cup finals, with Deschamps involved in three of them. He has presided over a changing of the guard, with Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud, Raphaël Varane and Antoine Griezmann among the players who moved on after the 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina.

Deschamps said he adapts his management to the person in front of him. “The generation from when I started in 2012 is not the same as today … the new generation need more exchanges,” he said, a line that matches the team’s shift from one established core to another.

Guy Stéphan’s view

He also said of assistant Guy Stéphan, “He is always very objective.” Deschamps has exchanged messages with Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Hansi Flick, while Gareth Southgate is among the admirers who have tracked his work from outside France.

For France, the task now is to enter the tournament carrying the weight of two titles and a recent final defeat in 2022. Deschamps put the focus on the next step with one blunt line: “it doesn’t matter.”