Didier Deschamps led his final press conference as France’s national team coach on July 17 in Miami. For twenty-five minutes, he addressed questions about the upcoming third-place playoff against England and, inevitably, his personal future.

“I know full well that tomorrow marks my final chapter with this team. While I won’t deny the emotional weight of leaving—after twenty-five years devoted to French football—I remain focused on the task ahead. Positivity has always driven me, and what matters now is what lies in front of us,” he shared, reflecting on his fourteen-year tenure as coach and eleven as a player.

A reshuffled squad for the final push

Though downplaying the significance of the match, Deschamps emphasized his team’s determination to achieve their last competitive goal. “We won’t complain. How many teams returned home empty-handed? Forty-four. We didn’t get the tournament we envisioned, but duty calls. When you represent France, you don’t come to receive—you come to give back. This jersey carries the hopes of millions who’ve cheered and, yes, been disappointed,” he asserted.

He offered no concrete hints about his starting lineup. Earlier, Ibrahima Konaté had urged the selection of the strongest possible team. “If we rotate the squad and lose, we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves. We’ve been dealt a tough hand, but this is a France vs. England match—history matters. We must honor that legacy and the fans who’ve stood by us,” the Real Madrid defender stressed.

“No one will play out of obligation. There are no ‘easy’ games. This is a match, and yes, I’ll likely make changes—but how many? Some players are unavailable, while others will earn their spots,” Deschamps hinted vaguely, declining to name any absentees. William Saliba’s participation appears unlikely, though Kylian Mbappé remains “available.” The striker could still finish as the tournament’s top scorer, whether in this edition or beyond.