Zinedine Zidane appointed France national team coach

French football legend Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the national team, replacing Didier Deschamps on a four-year contract. The 1998 World Cup winner, who also led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles, had long coveted the role, turning down multiple club offers since leaving Madrid in 2021. His first match will be against Turkey in September, as he takes charge of a talented but defensively challenged squad.

Zidane appointment announcement

• ▪French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo announced the appointment, stating that talks with Zidane began in February 2025
• ▪FFF President Philippe Diallo said the federation wanted a coach with "the aura, the ability, and the hearts of our fans" to manage the team
• ▪Zinedine Zidane was appointed as the new coach of the France national football team on July 28, 2026, by the French Football Federation (FFF)

Playing career legacy

• ▪As a player for France, Zinedine Zidane played in 108 games and scored 31 goals
• ▪Zinedine Zidane scored two goals in the 1998 World Cup final to help France win the tournament, and also won the 2000 European Championship
• ▪Zinedine Zidane's playing career ended with a red card in the 2006 World Cup Final after he headbutted Italian defender Marco Materazzi

Real Madrid coaching success

• ▪Zinedine Zidane has not managed any team since leaving his role as coach of Real Madrid in 2021
• ▪Zinedine Zidane became the main coach at Real Madrid in 2016 after previously managing its reserve team and serving as an assistant manager
• ▪As coach of Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane won three consecutive Champions League titles in 2016, 2017, and 2018
• ▪Zinedine Zidane's coaching record at Real Madrid also includes two Spanish league titles in 2017 and 2020

Transition to France national team

• ▪Zinedine Zidane has signed a four-year contract to coach the French national team, which runs until the 2030 World Cup
• ▪Zinedine Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year tenure as coach ended after France finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup
• ▪Zinedine Zidane stated he turned down multiple offers from clubs over the past four to five years because the French national team job was the only one he wanted
• ▪Zinedine Zidane's first home match will be against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2
• ▪Zinedine Zidane's first match as coach will be an away game against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25

Current squad strengths

• ▪Zinedine Zidane has not yet confirmed if Kylian Mbappé will remain the team captain, stating he must meet the players first
• ▪Zinedine Zidane is expected to rely on a core group of key players including Kylian Mbappé, Dayot Upamecano, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Ousmane Dembélé

Defensive position challenges

• ▪Zinedine Zidane is likely to name former World Cup champion Fabien Barthez as the new goalkeeping coach as part of an overhaul of the coaching staff
• ▪The French team faces challenges in its defensive lineup, particularly in the full-back positions and, to a lesser extent, central defence