France coach Didier Deschamps set a unique record as his side took charge against Spain in the semifinal of FIFA World Cup 2026 at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Deschamps became the coach to manage most matches in the FIFA World Cup as he took charge in his 26th game in the tournament, surpassing Helmut Schon’s record of 25.
The 57-year-old is one of the three managers to have won the World Cup as a player and a coach, lifting the coveted trophy in 1998 and 2018, and is set to leave the team after this World Cup.
Under Didier Deschamps as coach, France reached consecutive finals of the FIFA World Cup, winning it in 2018.
The France coach said adaptation had been central to his side’s consistency, with Les Bleus now seeking to reach a third successive World Cup final.
“When you are a coach, the key word is adaptation,” explained Deschamps.
“Football is not an exact science, but preparation and planning are always important, right down to the smallest detail.”
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Published on Jul 15, 2026