The 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign of France ended in disappointment on and off the pitch, with Didier Deschamps‘ final match as head coach followed by criticism over his decision not to use veteran midfielder N’Golo Kanté during the tournament.
Les Bleus concluded the competition in fourth place after suffering a 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off. However, much of the discussion after the match centred on Kanté, who completed the tournament without making a single appearance despite being included in France’s squad.
The 35-year-old Fenerbahçe midfielder remained an unused substitute throughout all eight of France’s matches at the World Cup, a decision that has prompted widespread debate among supporters.
For many fans, the midfielder’s absence from the field was particularly difficult to accept because the tournament was widely viewed as his final appearance at a major international competition. Kanté, a key member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning team, was not given the opportunity to feature even briefly before the end of Deschamps’ reign.
The decision quickly attracted criticism across social media, where supporters questioned why the experienced midfielder was not afforded a farewell appearance during the tournament.
Many argued that a player with Kanté’s record of service to the national team deserved at least a few minutes on the pitch before bringing his international career to a close. Instead, the midfielder watched every match from the bench as France progressed through the competition before ending the tournament with defeat in the play-off for third place.
The controversy has added another layer to the conclusion of Deschamps’ lengthy spell in charge of the French national team.
After 14 years as France manager, Deschamps leaves his position following a campaign that ended with a heavy defeat to England and renewed scrutiny over one of his final selection decisions.
While France’s fourth-place finish marked the end of their World Cup journey, the debate surrounding Kanté’s lack of involvement has continued to dominate the post-tournament conversation.
Supporters have pointed to the midfielder’s achievements with the national team, including his role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, as evidence that he had earned the chance to make one final appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Instead, Kanté completed the tournament without playing a single minute, despite being available throughout the competition. The outcome has left many fans disappointed, believing that one of France’s most respected players was denied a fitting international farewell.
As Deschamps’ tenure comes to an end, France’s defeat to England and fourth-place finish remain significant aspects of the team’s World Cup campaign. Yet the decision to leave Kanté on the bench for every game is likely to remain one of the most discussed moments from the final chapter of the manager’s 14-year spell in charge of Les Bleus.
