Didier Deschamps, the longest-serving manager of the French national football team, has confirmed he will step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The 56-year-old manager has led France since 2012, achieving remarkable success during his tenure.

Deschamps, a World Cup winner both as a player and manager, stated his decision in an interview with French broadcaster TF1. “In 2026 it will be over. In my head, it’s very clear,” he said. “I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level. One has to be able to say stop; there’s a life after this.”

Under Deschamps’ guidance, France has consistently remained one of the world’s top teams:

• Led Les Bleus to their second World Cup title with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in Moscow.
• Reached the final in Qatar, narrowly losing to Argentina in a penalty shootout after a dramatic 3-3 draw.
• Took France to the final on home soil, where they were defeated by Portugal in extra time.
• Secured the title with a victory over Spain.

Deschamps’ journey as France’s manager began after their quarter-final exit at Euro 2012. He succeeded Laurent Blanc and quickly re-established France as a football powerhouse, qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals.

The former midfielder also achieved historic milestones as a player, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 while captaining his country. He is one of only three individuals—alongside Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer—to win the World Cup as both player and manager.

France’s journey to the 2026 World Cup will begin after their Nations League quarter-final against Croatia in March, which will determine their qualifying group. Deschamps emphasized his commitment to maintaining France’s status as a football giant during his final years in charge.

“I want France to stay at the top as they have been for many years,” he said.

Somerset all-rounder Archie Vaughan, son of former England Test captain Michael Vaughan, will lead the England Under-19 cricket team during their upcoming tour of South Africa. The tour, starting on January 17, includes three youth one-day internationals and two youth Tests against South Africa Under-19s.

Archie Vaughan, 19, expressed his excitement about the role. “I found out I was going to be captain during the training camp before Christmas, and it was a very special moment,” he said. “Representing England at this level is special in itself, but leading the team is something else.”

Vaughan, who signed his first professional contract with Somerset in May, had a standout season in 2023. He played four first-class and seven List A matches, averaging 33.71 with the bat in the County Championship. His off-spin also impressed, with 15 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.

Archie follows in the footsteps of his father, Michael Vaughan, one of England’s most successful Test captains. Michael led England to a historic Ashes victory in 2005 and won 26 of his 51 Tests as captain.

“If someone had told me 12 months ago that I’d be captaining the Under-19s and playing in the Somerset first team, I wouldn’t have believed them,” Archie said. “It’s happened quickly, but I’ll keep my feet on the ground and work harder.”

Vaughan made his Somerset debut in the same week 16-year-old Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, debuted for Lancashire. While Rocky Flintoff was part of the England Under-19 training camp in South Africa, he has since been promoted to the England Lions squad for their tour of Australia, starting January 14.

Novak Djokovic has admitted that he still feels lingering “trauma” when visiting Melbourne, three years after being deported from Australia due to the country’s strict COVID-19 regulations. The Serbian star, who was unvaccinated against the virus at the time, had his visa canceled on “health and good order” grounds, resulting in a high-profile ordeal that saw him spend five days in an immigration hotel and miss the 2022 Australian Open.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, Djokovic described his apprehension during subsequent visits:
“The last couple of times I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration – I had a bit of trauma from three years ago,” he said. “Some traces still stay there when I’m passing passport control… checking out if someone from immigration is approaching.”

Despite the challenging memories, Djokovic emphasized that he harbors no resentment and reflected positively on his return to Melbourne in 2023, when he claimed his 10th Australian Open title. “It was actually one of the most emotional wins I’ve ever had, considering all that I’d been through the year before,” he said.

As Djokovic prepares for the 2025 tournament, set to begin on Sunday, Australian leaders have revisited the events of 2022. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan highlighted the broader challenges of the pandemic, stating, “Covid was tough for all of us. It didn’t matter who you were… Covid didn’t discriminate.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the previous government’s handling of Djokovic’s case, particularly the denial of access to an Orthodox priest before Orthodox Christmas. “I found it astonishing… that Novak Djokovic was denied… the opportunity to see his Orthodox minister,” Albanese said.

Djokovic, now aiming for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, remains focused on the upcoming competition.