World Cup 2026: Didier Deschamps lands a historic record with France
Didier Deschamps is still adding to his World Cup legacy before he walks away from Les Bleus. France’s 3-0 win over Sweden on Tuesday night was his 17th victory in the tournament as manager. No other coach has ever won that many. Another line for the Deschamps CV, and to mark the occasion he was handed a shirt with the number 17 by Philippe Diallo.
The FFF president presented the gift with a short message: “It’s a record still being built.” And he’s right. Against Paraguay on Saturday, Deschamps can add another win to his tally and keep his final World Cup ride with the French national team rolling on.
Didier Deschamps moves past Helmut Schon
The record had stood for decades with Helmut Schon. Between 1964 and 1978, the former West Germany boss won 16 World Cup matches. Deschamps is now out on his own, one win clear.
The Frenchman had already reached that total after the victory over Norway, although he was not on the bench that day. After the death of his mother, he left Guy Stephan in charge. Because the win still counts under his spell as head coach, the record was already his. The result against Sweden finally shut down any debate: this time, Deschamps was pitchside to claim win number 17.
Since his first World Cup as manager in Brazil in 2014, the results have spoken for themselves. A quarter-final that year, the title in Russia four years later, then another final in Qatar in 2022. In the United States, the story goes on for a man coaching his last tournament in charge of Les Bleus.
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Another record is still there for the taking
Didier Deschamps can now go after another mark held by Helmut Schon. The German managed 25 World Cup matches during his career. The French coach is currently on 23, or 22 for those who strike off the Norway game.
France’s run could yet put him top of that list too. A place in the last four would take him a step closer, while another final would give him the chance to go past it.
Before that, he has to get through Paraguay on Saturday. That will give Deschamps his first shot at turning 17 into 18. And if France go all the way and win every game, the famous shirt handed over by the FFF might not mean much for long, because the one thing he’d still be missing is that third star.
RECORD BROKEN! 🇫🇷
With 17 World Cup wins, Didier Deschamps has become the coach with the most victories in the history of the competition 🙌
A record praised by the FFF president, @PhilippeDiallo, who… pic.twitter.com/6aIIwdDFKx
— FFF (@FFF) July 3, 2026
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Photo credit: FRANCK FIFE / AFP
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