France winger Ousmane Dembélé insists that the upcoming departure of manager Didier Deschamps isn’t a distraction for the squad as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup. Instead, he views it as motivation to finish Deschamps’s tenure on a successful note.
Deschamps recently stated that he plans to resign as France’s coach after the World Cup, marking the end of a remarkable 14-year era with Les Bleus.
“We understand that this is the coach’s final competition,” Dembélé told ESPN on Saturday. “He has achieved tremendous success with the French team, and we appreciate having him. We’ve already experienced a World Cup with him.
“Our main focus is on the tournament. His decision to leave doesn’t affect our mindset; we aim to honor his legacy by reaching the final. He has always supported each player and continues to motivate us after matches.
“Personally, he has played a crucial role in my development. We want to perform well for him as he deserves our best effort.”
Deschamps has been at the helm of the French national team since the summer of 2012, following Laurent Blanc’s departure. During his tenure, he led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League, while also guiding the team to the final of the 2016 European Championship, the 2022 World Cup final, and the semifinals of the 2024 European Championship.
As one of the longest-serving national team coaches in history, Deschamps will lead Les Bleus through the 2026 World Cup group stages, facing Senegal, Iran, and Norway.
Dembélé, who recently left the Champions League final against Arsenal with an injury, stated that the team is in good shape as they head into the summer tournament but understands the fierce competition they face.
“There are many strong contenders; we recognize that Argentina, as the reigning World Cup champions, remains a top favorite,” Dembélé noted. “Likewise, Spain, the winners of UEFA Euro 2024, are also strong contenders, along with England, Portugal, and Germany. Teams like Brazil and Ecuador are also challenging opponents.
“While there are favorites, the matches will always come down to 11 against 11. That’s when anything can happen, so I need to stay focused.”
France kicks off their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Senegal at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.