Germany World Cup Winner Andreas Brehme Dead at 63

(FILES) Argentina's Diego Maradona (R) fights for the ball with German Andreas Brehme (C) and his teammate Thomas Berthold during the final match of the 1986 Football World Cup Federal Republic of Germany vs. Argentina on June 29, 1986 at Mexico City.  (Photo by AFP)
(FILES) Argentina's Diego Maradona (R) fights for the ball with German Andreas Brehme (C) and his teammate Thomas Berthold during the final match of the 1986 Football World Cup Federal Republic of Germany vs. Argentina on June 29, 1986 at Mexico City. (Photo by AFP)
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Germany World Cup Winner Andreas Brehme Dead at 63

(FILES) Argentina's Diego Maradona (R) fights for the ball with German Andreas Brehme (C) and his teammate Thomas Berthold during the final match of the 1986 Football World Cup Federal Republic of Germany vs. Argentina on June 29, 1986 at Mexico City.  (Photo by AFP)
(FILES) Argentina's Diego Maradona (R) fights for the ball with German Andreas Brehme (C) and his teammate Thomas Berthold during the final match of the 1986 Football World Cup Federal Republic of Germany vs. Argentina on June 29, 1986 at Mexico City. (Photo by AFP)

World Cup winner Andreas Brehme, whose late penalty in the 1990 final against Argentina in Italy handed Germany their third world title, has died at the age of 63, his family said.
The attacking full back and dead-ball specialist became an instant Germany football great when his spot kick earned them a 1-0 victory over Diego Maradona's Argentina in the World Cup final in Rome.
Tributes and condolences poured in from clubs across the Bundesliga and Europe.
"A magnificent player, a great Inter fan. Ciao Andy, forever legend," former club Inter Milan said on social media.
Brehme also played for Bayern Munich and Real Zaragoza among others before retiring in 1998 following his return to Kaiserslautern and lifting the Bundesliga title with them.
He also won the German league title with Bayern Munich while also lifting the Serie A trophy and a UEFA Cup with Inter.
"FCK mourns the passing of Andreas Brehme," Reuters quoted Kaiserslautern as saying. "He wore the Red Devils' shirt for a total of 10 years and became German champion and German Cup winner with FCK."
"In 1990 he fired the German national team to the World Cup title with his penalty and became a football legend. The FCK family is in deep mourning and our thoughts are with Andi's family and friends."
Brehme won 86 caps for Germany, scoring eight goals, including the one he is best remembered for.
"Andreas Brehme will forever be in our hearts, as a World Cup winner and, more importantly, as a very special person. He will forever be part of the FC Bayern family," Bayern Munich said.



France Coach Didier Deschamps Says He’ll Leave after 2026 World Cup

France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates as they do a lap of honor during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the 2018 World Cup at the end of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, northern of Paris, on September 9, 2018. (AFP)
France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates as they do a lap of honor during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the 2018 World Cup at the end of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, northern of Paris, on September 9, 2018. (AFP)
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France Coach Didier Deschamps Says He’ll Leave after 2026 World Cup

France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates as they do a lap of honor during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the 2018 World Cup at the end of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, northern of Paris, on September 9, 2018. (AFP)
France's coach Didier Deschamps celebrates as they do a lap of honor during a ceremony to celebrate the victory of the 2018 World Cup at the end of the UEFA Nations League football match between France and Netherlands at the Stade de France stadium, in Saint-Denis, northern of Paris, on September 9, 2018. (AFP)

Didier Deschamps announced Wednesday that he won’t continue as France coach after the next World Cup.

The 56-year-old Deschamps said in an interview with broadcaster TF1 that he will leave when his contract expires in the summer of 2026.

“I’ve been here since 2012, I’m scheduled to be here until 2026, the next World Cup, but that’s where it’s going to end because it has to end at some point,” Deschamps said in excerpts of the interview to be aired later Wednesday.

“I did my time, with the same desire and the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level, but 2026 is all very well.”

Deschamps started in his role as a successor to Laurent Blanc and led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup, also reaching the final in 2022 and at the 2016 European Championship.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, France reached the final and lost an epic title match to Argentina.

“I’m not here for the records,” Deschamps added. “The most important thing is that the France team remains at the top as it has been for many years.”

Europe will send 16 teams to the first 48-team World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026.

Deschamps did not elaborate on his future beyond the World Cup.

“There is a life afterwards,” he said. “I don’t know what it will be.”