For France, the 2026 World Cup ended without a medal. After losing the semifinal, the Équipe Tricolore also fell to England in the third-place match. Nevertheless, national team coach Didier Deschamps had words of praise for Dayot Upamecano after his final game in office.
With Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise, two FC Bayern players were part of the French World Cup squad. While Olise set a new World Cup record with seven assists, Upamecano was one of the defining figures on defense for much of the tournament.
The center back also made an impression in the third-place match against England (4–6). Although the 27-year-old started on the bench, the French defense stabilized noticeably after he came on as a substitute. In addition, Upamecano provided important momentum with his dynamism and build-up play.
“One of the best defenders in the world”
At the post-match press conference, Didier Deschamps spoke at length about the Bayern Munich player—and his words were remarkably clear. “Dayot had a difficult start with the national team overall,” the outgoing national team coach explained at the outset.
Deschamps then praised his defensive leader: “Today, he is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in the world. He has incredible athletic strength and can do it all. It takes time to reach the next level.”
These comments are no coincidence. Under Deschamps, Upamecano has developed into a mainstay of the French defense in recent years and was also one of the team’s top performers at this World Cup.
Strong World Cup performance offers hope for FC Bayern
Together with William Saliba, Upamecano formed one of the strongest center-back duos of the tournament. Both impressed not only with their traditional defensive play but also with their composure on the ball and their bold build-up play.
Even though France finished the World Cup without a podium finish, Upamecano can personally look back on a strong tournament. Deschamps’ public praise underscores once again the high regard in which the Bayern pro is now held on the international stage.
After the intense weeks with the national team, the center back’s priority now is recovery. Afterward, his focus will shift back to FC Bayern, where Upamecano is expected to once again play a key role in Vincent Kompany’s defense in the new season.