local
With Deschamps stepping down after 14 years, France needs a new coach and Zidane is in pole position
By JEROME PUGMIRE, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
PARIS (AP) — Adieu Didier. Bonjour Zinedine? Coach Didier Deschamps takes charge of his last game for France on Saturday when Les Bleus face England at the World Cup in Miami. The winner gets third place, an anti-climactic award brought about by agonizing semifinal defeats. It is a disappointing ...
Key takeaway Coach Didier Deschamps takes charge of his last game for France on Saturday when Les Bleus face England at the World Cup in Miami.
Why this matters in The McAllen
For McAllen soccer fans, the changing of the guard in France's national team coaching staff may seem like a distant development, but it can have a ripple effect on the local sports landscape. As Zinedine Zidane is poised to take the reins, his coaching style and player selection may inspire local coaches and players in the Rio Grande Valley. The region's strong Hispanic heritage and passion for soccer make international soccer news highly relevant to McAllen residents. Local soccer leagues and clubs may take note of Zidane's approach and incorporate similar strategies into their own training sessions. Moreover, the World Cup's presence in the United States, with games like the France-England matchup being played in Miami, can help fuel interest in the sport among McAllen's youth, potentially leading to increased participation in local soccer programs.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? PARIS (AP) — Adieu Didier. Bonjour Zinedine? Coach Didier Deschamps takes charge of his last game for France on Saturday when Les Bleus face England at the World Cup in Miami. The winner gets third place, an anti-climactic award brought about by agonizing semifinal defeats. It is a disappointing ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JEROME PUGMIRE, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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