Deschamps in Shock: France Faces Ukraine in a Must-Win World Cup Qualifier
13 November 2025
France’s World Cup Quest on the Line
In a report that has football fans buzzing, Didier Deschamps, France’s head coach, is said to be stunned ahead of the Ukraine match on Thursday, in the fifth round of Group D of the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
LeEquipe notes that in private sessions with his aides, Deschamps expressed shock that France-Ukraine fails to excite the players despite its significance.
The paper adds that the coach wants his players to understand that Ukraine could be the team’s last game of the year in France, and perhaps the most important match in many players’ careers.
Deschamps’ Plan and France’s Qualification Stakes
France needs just one point to secure a place in the World Cup for the seventh time in its history; the team has previously won the title in 1988 and 2018, and finished runner-up in 2006 and 2022, with bronze in 1958 and 1986.
Before facing Ukraine at Parc des Princes, the Parisians’ home, Les Bleus sit top of the group on 10 points, Ukraine second with 7, Iceland 4, and Azerbaijan at the bottom with one point.
Deschamps’ plan
LeEquipe reports that the coach plans to rely on the experienced midfielder N’Golo Kanté, now with Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, who remains a key pillar in his tactics and will play a significant role.
It notes Kanté did not travel far from Saudi Arabia to sit on the bench at the Parc des Princes, underscoring the manager’s tactical choices.
LeEquipe also published the anticipated France lineup: Mike Maignan; Jules Koundé, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba; Lucas Digne or Theo Hernandez; Kanté; Manu Koné; Rayan Cherki in attacking midfield behind a front three of Olise on the right, Barcola on the left, and Kylian Mbappé as the main striker.
Station: Saudi Chapter
Deschamps, 57, is preparing to end his long run with Les Bleus after the 2026 World Cup finals.
The French outlet claims he might coach a Saudi Pro League club in the future, with links to Al-Ittihad in Jeddah that houses Karim Benzema and Kanté; however, he remains focused on his duties with France and will decide his future after the next World Cup.
He also hinted in a TV interview that he has received “some calls” from Saudi clubs, but would not name names, insisting he would be entirely devoted after the World Cup deadlines and that nothing is off the table.
Deschamps has led France since 2012, succeeding Laurent Blanc, and has overseen 173 games with 111 wins, 32 draws and 30 losses, with 368 goals scored and 164 conceded.
In terms of trophies, he has guided France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2021 UEFA Nations League crown, with a Euro 2016 runner-up finish and a 2022 World Cup runner-up, plus a 2025 Nations League bronze in Germany.
Punchline 1: If strategy were a sniper rifle, Deschamps would hit the target so cleanly the ball would log 90 minutes of sleep before VAR wakes it up.
Punchline 2: In football, a one-point path to glory can feel like a suspense thriller—starring a leather ball, a lucky bounce, and a referee’s whistle that never quite says “cut.”
