Pakistan, July 19 -- Didier Deschamps brings the curtain down on a remarkable 14-year reign as France coach on Saturday when Les Bleus face England in the World Cup third-place play-off.

Waiting in the wings is Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps' former teammate and one of the all-time great French players.

Deschamps, 57, had been determined to sign off by leading Les Bleus to a third World Cup triumph after a glittering career as a player and coach.

France justified their billing as favorites for the 2026 tournament with a series of swaggering attacking displays but came unstuck against Spain in the semifinals.

The painful 2-0 reverse in Arlington, Texas, denied them the chance to reach a third consecutive World Cup final and leaves them cha...