France entered the 2026 World Cup as favorites, but a 2-0 loss to Spain in the semifinal ended their campaign and the 14‑year reign of Didier Deschamps. The defeat was a shock; the Les Bleus’ front four produced only 0.04 x G in the first 64 minutes, and the team’s talent was wasted on a conventional, passive strategy.

Deschamps, who oversaw 184 matches and reached finals, had built France on simple tactics and high morale. His approach worked during the 2018 and 2022 triumphs, but against a possession‑oriented Spain side that pressed hard, the French squad could not adapt. The coach’s predictable line‑ups left players without ball or space, turning potential stars into struggles.

The loss raises questions about France’s future. Zinedine Zidane, a former teammate of Deschamps and a three‑time Champions League winner, has been mentioned as a possible successor. Zidane’s club‑level success at Real Madrid may translate differently at the international stage, where tactical flexibility and rapid learning are crucial.

If Zidane can adjust his philosophy to the national‑team context, he might harness France’s depth of talent and deliver results similar to Deschamps’ legacy, but the challenge will be learning to balance individual brilliance with collective cohesion.