France captain Kylian Mbappe has expressed disappointment that his team could not give head coach Didier Deschamps a winning farewell following their 6-4 loss to England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-place playoff.
Speaking after the match, the Real Madrid forward admitted the French squad had hoped to celebrate Deschamps’ final game in charge with a victory but fell short despite their efforts.
Mbappe acknowledged that France’s first-half performance was below expectations and said the players were frustrated that they could not deliver the result they wanted for their long-serving coach.
He stressed, however, that the defeat should not overshadow Deschamps’ remarkable achievements with the national team, praising the outgoing manager for his years of dedication and success.
Deschamps is stepping down as France coach after the World Cup, bringing an end to a highly successful tenure that included major international triumphs. Reports indicate that former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane is the leading candidate to succeed him as head coach of Les Bleus.
Although France ended the tournament with defeat, Mbappe insisted the team remains grateful for Deschamps’ contribution and believes his legacy as one of the country’s greatest managers will remain intact.
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