France Balances Deschamps Farewell and Final World Cup Preparations

Overview

• Didier Deschamps confirmed in January that he will step down after the 2026 World Cup, making this tournament the end of his 14-year spell in charge of Les Bleus.
• France began their final build-up with a surprise 2-1 friendly loss to Ivory Coast in Nantes, a result that exposed defensive lapses and came in a match where several key players were rested.
• Players including Ousmane Dembele and Adrien Rabiot have said the coach's impending exit will not distract the squad and that they aim to finish the tenure strongly for Deschamps.
• Monday's home friendly in Lille is the team's last match on French soil before flying to the United States, with William Saliba and PSG winners available after missing the Nantes game.
• France enter World Cup Group I with Senegal, Iraq and Norway and sit among the tournament favorites in Opta simulations, but warm-up injuries and form in these final matches will shape their prospects.