Kylian Mbappe was reportedly at the centre of growing tensions between the France national team and the French Football Federation (FFF) before and during the 2026 World Cup, contributing to a rift that ultimately led manager Didier Deschamps to step down after the tournament.
Deschamps' Final Game Ends in Defeat
France finished fourth in the World Cup, losing 6-4 to England in the third-place play-off. Deschamps had announced his departure before the tournament, and his final match featured a dramatic comeback attempt after France trailed 4-0 at half-time. Mbappe scored twice, but England's additional goals secured victory.
Deschamps Cites 'Unbearable' Atmosphere
After the match, Deschamps hinted at behind-the-scenes tensions when explaining his decision to leave. "I controlled my departure because I made the decision," he said. "I decided it had to end there. And if I made this decision, I say this sincerely, it wasn't for myself. It was for the good of the French national team. Because the atmosphere was so unbearable, so focused on me. The French national team doesn't deserve that."
According to French outlet RMC, Deschamps felt less support from the federation following the appointment of Philippe Diallo as FFF president. The report claims there were "a few heated exchanges" between Deschamps and FFF deputy director Erwan Le Prevost over issues including travel, match tickets for families, and bonuses.
Mbappe's Role in Bonus Dispute
L'Équipe reports that Mbappe was directly involved in a dispute over World Cup bonuses. The squad was told just before departing for the tournament that they would only receive bonuses if they reached the semi-finals. Mbappe reportedly stood up and reminded Diallo in a heated exchange that the players understood the importance of each stage of the competition, noting it was his first World Cup. The issue was resolved on the plane to America, with Mbappe getting his way.
Cryotherapy Unit and Family Treatment
Mbappe also played a role in convincing the federation to install a cryotherapy unit at the training camp, deemed essential for dealing with the American heat but initially rejected for financial reasons. The FFF changed its mind after Mbappe's intervention.
FootMercato reports that another cause of tension was the €120,000 (£102,000) spent on FFF officials' trip to America, compared to how players' families were allegedly treated. This fuelled a "sense of misunderstanding" between the team and the federation.
Diallo's Social Media Snub
Notably, Diallo's LinkedIn post congratulating the team on reaching the semi-final made no mention of Deschamps, though he later posted a message thanking the manager after the loss to England.
Zidane Set to Take Over
France legend Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to replace Deschamps as manager. His first matches would come in the Nations League against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy in September and early October.
