France captain Kylian Mbappe has paid an emotional tribute to head coach Didier Deschamps following Les Bleus’ 6-4 defeat to England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff.
The loss marked Deschamps’ final game in charge of the French national team, bringing an end to a successful era that saw him guide France to major international achievements.
Speaking after the match, Mbappe admitted the players had hoped to give their departing coach a memorable farewell with a victory but were unable to achieve that goal.
“We didn’t win, and that is a shame for the coach. We wanted to do something for him, and the first half gave the impression that we let him down, even if that wasn’t the feeling we intended,” Mbappe said in an interview with French broadcaster M6.
Despite the disappointing result, the Real Madrid forward stressed that one defeat should not overshadow Deschamps’ remarkable legacy with the French national team.
“But we want to thank him for everything he’s done. This match won’t tarnish Didier Deschamps’ legend,” Mbappe added.
Deschamps is set to step down after overseeing one of the most successful periods in France’s football history. Earlier reports indicated that former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to succeed him as head coach.
France’s defeat to England ended their World Cup campaign on a disappointing note, but attention will now shift to the team’s next chapter under new leadership.