By Juan David Mosos
Sports Desk, May 17 (EFE).- France coach Didier Deschamps is on the verge of breaking one of the oldest records in World Cup history, needing only a few more matches at the 2026 tournament to surpass German manager Helmut Schön for the most games coached at the FIFA World Cup.
Schön hosts record of coaching 25 World Cup matches, a mark that has stood for nearly half a century.
By simply completing the group stage at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Deschamps would increase his total from 19 to 22 World Cup matches coached.
Schön’s record, built between the 1966 World Cup in England and the 1978 edition in Argentina, reflects one of the most successful eras in German football history.
During that period, the German coach recorded 16 wins, five draws and just four defeats, while also guiding West Germany to the World Cup title in 1974.
Deschamps’ rise through the all-time coaching rankings has been rapid. Once the 2026 tournament begins, the Frenchman will move from seventh to third place on the all-time list, overtaking figures such as Mário Zagallo and Óscar Washington Tabárez.
By the end of the group stage, Deschamps would reach 22 matches, trailing only Schön’s 25 and the 23 coached by Brazilian manager Carlos Alberto Parreira.
The 2026 World Cup will mark Deschamps’ fourth consecutive tournament in charge of France national football team, after leading the side in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Only nine coaches in history have managed as many or more World Cups.
Deschamps’ impact extends beyond longevity. He currently ranks third among coaches for World Cup points earned, with 45 points from 14 wins and three draws, behind only Schön with 53 and Luiz Felipe Scolari with 47.
Under his leadership, France has scored 42 goals and conceded just 21, highlighting the balance between attacking strength and defensive solidity. Deschamps also won the World Cup as a player in 1998.
The path to the record is straightforward. If France reaches the Round of 16 in 2026, Deschamps will equal Parreira’s 23 matches.
Reaching the quarter-finals would take him to 26 games, allowing him to officially surpass Schön as the coach with the most matches managed in World Cup history.
Two other active coaches could also climb the all-time rankings at the next tournament: Zlatko Dalić, who has coached 14 World Cup matches with Croatia national football team, and Carlos Queiroz, who has managed 13 with several national teams, including Ghana national football team.
The expansion of the World Cup format has not only increased participation opportunities for national teams but has also accelerated the fall of long-standing coaching records.
For Deschamps, the 2026 World Cup will represent more than another chance to win the title. It could also cement his place as the most experienced coach in World Cup history. EFE
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