Didier Deschamps and his France team saw their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign end with a 2-0 loss to Spain in Arlington on Wednesday, halting their bid for a third consecutive final appearance. The coach, who guided the side to the 2018 title and 2022 final, exits after a semifinal run but voiced concerns over the refereeing. He criticized Salvadoran official Iván Arcides Barton Cisneros for decisions in the semifinal, including a penalty awarded in the 22nd minute after Lucas Digne fouled Lamine Yamal in the box. Mikel Oyarzabal converted the spot kick for the opening goal. Deschamps noted frustration with the overall officiating standard beyond that call, while praising the fourth and fifth officials. He acknowledged Spain’s superiority, citing France’s technical errors and physical shortcomings. Injuries to William Saliba and an early booking for Adrien Rabiot added to the challenges. Deschamps stressed that his team needed peak performance to compete but fell short in multiple areas.
