Didier Deschamps will leave his role as France head coach when his contract expires at the end of the 2026 World Cup.

Deschamps announced his decision on Wednesday, after widespread reports claimed he had opted against pursuing a contract extension on Tuesday.

Deschamps is the longest-serving coach in France's history, having taken the reins after Laurent Blanc departed in 2012.

He led Les Bleus to World Cup success in Russia in 2018, though he has also overseen two defeats in major tournament finals – to Portugal on home soil at Euro 2016 and against Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Speaking to French broadcaster TF1, he said: "In 2026 it will be over. In my head it's very clear.

"I've done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level. One has to be able to say stop, there's a life after this. The most important is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years."

Deschamps is one of just three men to win the World Cup both as a player and as a manager, alongside Germany icon Franz Beckenbauer and Brazil's Mario Zagallo.

He has overseen 163 games in total, winning 104, drawing 33 and losing 26. His win ratio of 63.8%, meanwhile, has only ever been bettered by Jacques Santini (78.6%), Roger Lemerre and Aime Jacquet (both 64.2%).

Deschamps also led France to the Nations League title in 2020-21, and they will face Croatia in the quarter-finals of the 2024-25 edition in March.

Depending on their performance in the Nations League, France will enter either Group D – alongside Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan – or Group L – with the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands and Gibraltar – in World Cup qualifying. 

UEFA's World Cup qualifiers begin in March and end 12 months later, with the finals – the first to take place under FIFA's new 48-team format – starting on June 11, 2026.

While Deschamps will look to go out on a high by becoming a three-time World Cup winner, talk will now turn to the candidates to replace him.

Former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was reportedly keen on the role after the 2022 World Cup, only for Deschamps to be offered a new four-year contract.