According to a report by Vanguard on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, France head coach Didier Deschamps said his players were left “devastated” after suffering defeat to Spain in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, bringing an end to their hopes of winning a third world title.
The French manager admitted that the loss was a painful experience for his squad after an impressive campaign that had raised expectations of another appearance in the tournament’s final.
Deschamps also appeared to criticise match referee Ivan Barton of El Salvador following the encounter, although he maintained that France must first accept responsibility for its own performance.
France entered the semi-final in outstanding form, having produced a series of attacking displays that made them one of the most entertaining teams in the competition.
The French side scored 16 goals in six matches on their way to the last four, earning widespread praise for the quality of their football.
Their performances prompted comparisons with some of the greatest teams in FIFA World Cup history, with many highlighting their attacking strength, creativity, and consistency throughout the tournament.
Despite their impressive run, France’s hopes of securing another World Cup title came to an end after Spain delivered a commanding performance in the semi-final.
The Spanish team controlled large portions of the match and capitalised on their opportunities, leaving the defending champions unable to recover.
The defeat ended France’s quest for a third FIFA World Cup crown and marked the conclusion of their campaign after a tournament in which they had been regarded as one of the favourites.
The result was particularly significant for Deschamps, who is expected to step down as France’s head coach after the conclusion of the tournament.
Having guided the national team through several major international competitions, including previous World Cup campaigns, the experienced manager acknowledged the disappointment felt by his players following the defeat.
He said the squad had invested significant effort throughout the competition and was deeply affected by missing out on another opportunity to compete for the title.
Although Deschamps appeared to direct criticism at referee Ivan Barton after the match, he stressed that the primary responsibility for the defeat rested with his own team.
The France coach said his players and coaching staff must first examine their own performance before attributing the outcome to any external factors.
He acknowledged that Spain had produced a strong display in the semi-final and indicated that France needed to accept the result while reflecting on its performance during the decisive encounter.
He said, “But first of all, it’s our fault, I don’t want to blame anyone….See More