Mbappe says France 'failed' Deschamps, demands winning farewell against England

Kylian Mbappe has acknowledged that France's players 'failed' Didier Deschamps with their World Cup exit, but the captain is demanding a winning performance against England in the third-place playoff to give the outgoing coach a proper send-off.

Deschamps is set to manage his final match for France when they face England on Saturday. The 57-year-old has been in charge since 2012, leading Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2022. However, their campaign in the 2026 tournament ended in the semi-finals, with a defeat that has left a bitter taste.

Mbappe takes responsibility

Speaking ahead of the third-place match, Mbappe did not shy away from the team's shortcomings. "We failed him," the captain said, referring to Deschamps. "We wanted to give him a perfect ending, but we couldn't. Now the only thing left is to win this last game for him."

The 27-year-old forward, who has been France's talisman for years, made it clear that the players felt the weight of letting down a coach who transformed the national team. "He gave everything for us. The least we can do is leave everything on the pitch against England."

Deschamps' final act

Deschamps ends his reign with a haul of records, including the most matches as France manager and the only man to win the World Cup as both a player and a coach. His final match will be against an England side that also fell in the semi-finals, losing to Brazil.

The third-place playoff is often seen as a consolation prize, but for France, it carries deeper meaning. Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to take over after the tournament, but for now, the focus remains on Deschamps' last dance.

"It's not the final we wanted, but it's a game we have to win," Mbappe added. "For the coach, for the country, for ourselves."

England await

England, led by Gareth Southgate, will be no pushovers. The two sides have a storied rivalry, and both will be eager to avoid finishing fourth. France will be without some key players due to injury and suspension, but Mbappe's presence ensures they remain dangerous.

Deschamps, characteristically pragmatic, has not made grand statements. He has called the past 14 years "the greatest chapter of my career" but has kept his focus on the task at hand. The players, however, seem determined to send him off on a high note.

The match kicks off on Saturday in what will be an emotional evening for French football. For Mbappe and his teammates, it is a chance to atone, even if they cannot change what happened in the semi-final. For Deschamps, it is the final whistle on a legendary tenure.

What to watch: All eyes will be on whether France can channel their disappointment into a dominant performance, or if England will spoil the farewell party. The transition to Zidane's era begins immediately after the final whistle.