'England doesn't want it, neither do we': What France coach Didier Deschamps said before the FIFA World Cup third-place game
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "'England doesn't want it, neither do we': What France coach Didier Deschamps said before the FIFA World Cup third-place game")
Didier Deschamps and Thomas Tuchel Photograph: (AFP)
Didier Deschamps says France didn't want the FIFA World Cup third-place playoff but insists Les Bleus have a duty to beat England and win bronze
France head coach Didier Deschamps has admitted that neither his team nor England wanted to play the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-place playoff, but insisted France has a responsibility to compete and finish the tournament with the bronze medal. France's hopes of reaching a third consecutive FIFA World Cup final came to an end after a 2-0 semifinal defeat to Spain. They will now face England in the third-place playoff in Miami on Saturday.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Deschamps acknowledged the lack of enthusiasm surrounding the fixture but stressed that the match still carries significance. "I have a duty for this game. It is not a friendly. It is a third-place playoff. The players, staff, and I have the duty to reach this last objective. It is less important than the final. England does not want to play this game, and neither do we. But here we are," Deschamps said.
Deschamps focused on Bronze in final match as France coach
Deschamps also revealed that the match will be his final game in charge of France. While accepting that his tenure is coming to an end, he said the team remains focused on finishing the tournament on a positive note. "We have to set our eyes on that goal to be third and make this final goal a reality. We have this duty when wearing this jersey. In my head, I know that it is my last match. I don't want anybody to cry. The end is near, but life goes on," he said. The veteran coach is aiming to conclude his successful spell with the French national team by securing a third-place finish before stepping down.
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Didier Deschamps and Thomas Tuchel Photograph: (AFP)
Konate wants winning farewell for Deschamps
France defender Ibrahima Konate echoed his coach's sentiments, admitting the players would have preferred to be preparing for the World Cup final instead of the bronze-medal match. However, Konate said the squad is determined to give Deschamps a memorable farewell by defeating England. "None of us wanted to play for this third place, but we have no choice. We want to pay back our coach," he said.
"He did so much for the France team. We must be grateful to him for that, and we need to do everything we can to win this game... to get this chocolate medal, this bronze medal," Konate said. France will now look to end their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a victory over England and ensure Deschamps signs off with one final success in charge of Les Bleus.
