France's favourite son, Zinedine Zidane, begins the latest chapter in his love affair with the national team after he was announced as Les Bleus' new coach on Tuesday.

Zinedine Zidane was appointed France coach on Tuesday, as widely expected, following the departure of Didier Deschamps, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced.

Together they have amassed decades of experience at the highest international level, with World Cup titles, triumphs in continental competitions, and unforgettable moments on the game’s biggest stage.

It appears the coaches of the losing semifinalists were guilty of underestimating their oppositions’ strengths while being overconfident of what had worked for them in the tournament.

Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat by Spain was particularly painful because of the manner in which it came.

Beyond Spain’s 2-0 victory over France in the World Cup semifinal in Dallas lay a far more compelling story than the scoreline itself -- one of a tactical masterclass from Luis de la Fuente that Didier Deschamps never truly recognised, let alone countered.

Spain suffocated France deep in the heart of Texas on Tuesday, powering into their first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010 with a spellbinding 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.

France coach Didier Deschamps said his players were left "devastated" by their World Cup semifinal defeat to Spain on Wedesday before aiming a barb at match referee Ivan Barton from El Salvador.

Coming into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, France were always tipped as the team to beat.

As for France’s appeal to have Michael Olise’s yellow card against Paraguay rescinded, Deschamps said FIFA had informed them that the caution would stand.

Didier Deschamps feared that Kylian Mbappe would be "chopped down" by Paraguay in Saturday's ill-tempered clash in Philadelphia, which saw France advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

As France marched on toward a quarterfinal meeting with Morocco, Deschamps looked ahead, thinking about recovery, injuries, and another difficult test awaiting his players.

If they are still defined by pragmatism, that pragmatism comes from this France team’s togetherness, wrought in liquid gold.

Deschamps summed up the mood best: “They’re on a mission, and I’m on a mission with them.”

France coach Didier Deschamps is to return home after his mother died and will miss his team's final World Cup Group I match against Norway, the French Football Federation announced Tuesday.

France manager Didier Deschamps suggested Kylian Mbappe will eventually claim the all-time World Cup goals record after the 27-year-old striker scored his second double of the tournament in Monday’s 3-0 win over Iraq.

France coach Didier Deschamps said on Wednesday that defender William Saliba is "fine" despite reports he was a doubt for the World Cup with a back injury.

After a remarkable 14-year spell in charge capped by one World Cup triumph and another run to the final, Didier Deschamps is hoping to go out on a high as he gets ready to step down as France coach following the upcoming tournament in North America.

Kylian Mbappe will spearhead France at the World Cup after national team coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday announced his 26-man squad for this summer's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Kylian Mbappe is receiving treatment for a "small niggle" in his right ankle after meeting up with his international team-mates ahead of the latest round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, France coach Didier Deschamps said Monday.