The Blues will have to wait until November before definitively validating their ticket for the 2026 World Cup. The fault of the draw conceded in Iceland on Monday evening (2-2), three days after the victory against Azerbaijan at the Parc des Princes (3-0).
In Iceland, Didier Deschamps reached the mark of 173 matches on the bench for the France team. And the results are positive for the 98 world champion: 110 victories, 35 draws and 28 defeats, a success ratio of 64% since his arrival at the head of the selection in 2012.
Thus, in the ranking of the best win ratio for coaches with at least 20 matches on the bench of the France team, Didier Deschamps finds himself in 2nd place, tied with Aimé Jacquet and Roger Lemerre (64%). Before leaving his post at the end of the 2026 World Cup, “DD” will therefore have the opportunity to overtake his two former coaches.
Untouchable Santini
Note that this ranking is largely dominated by Jacques Santini, coach of the Blues from 2002 to 2004. The former OL coach, who undoubtedly had the best French generation under his command, has a win ratio of 79% (22 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses). In 5e position we find Laurent Blanc (59%), followed by Michel Platini (6e55%), Michel Hidalgo (7e55%) and Raymond Domenech (8e.52%).
If Santini's record will be unattainable for Deschamps, his announced successor will have the opportunity to do better. This one should be, barring a huge surprise, Zinedine Zidane. The former number 10 of the Blues has not returned to duty since his departure from Real Madrid in 2021, patiently awaiting his turn at the head of the French selection.
