Zinédine Zidane has been appointed head coach of France’s senior men’s national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps after a 14-year tenure. The appointment was confirmed on July 28, 2026. Reuters reports that Zidane signed a four-year contract taking him through the 2030 World Cup cycle.
A long-anticipated appointment
Zidane’s move into the France job had been expected for years, but the position only became available after the 2026 World Cup. Deschamps led France from 2012 and oversaw one of the most successful periods in the team’s history, including the 2018 World Cup title and a place in the 2022 final. His departure opened the way for another central figure from France’s 1998 championship team.
FIFA’s official announcement identifies Zidane as the new coach and notes that he replaces Deschamps following France’s fourth-place finish at the 2026 tournament. Reuters says the agreement runs for four years and places the former Real Madrid manager in charge for the 2028 European Championship and the qualification campaign leading toward the 2030 World Cup.
Return to coaching after five years
Zidane has not held a coaching position since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. Across two spells with the Spanish club, he won three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018 as well as domestic honours. His record was built around managing a squad of high-profile players, adapting his system to different opponents and maintaining control during knockout competitions.
The international role will create a different working rhythm. National-team coaches have shorter preparation windows and fewer training sessions than club managers. Zidane will inherit a group that includes established senior players and younger attacking options, but he did not announce detailed tactical plans or personnel decisions during his presentation.
First competitive test against Türkiye
Reuters and The Guardian report that Zidane’s first competitive match is scheduled to be a Nations League fixture away to Türkiye in September. His first home match is expected to follow against Italy. The Türkiye game will therefore provide an early indication of how quickly the new technical staff can establish its approach.
Any prediction about France’s formation, captaincy or preferred starting lineup would be premature until Zidane names his first squad. The verified development at this stage is the appointment itself, the four-year contract and the planned opening fixtures reported by multiple outlets.
The appointment also changes the immediate planning calendar for players and staff. Zidane must select his first squad, assemble his technical group and use a limited international window to prepare for Türkiye. France’s recent tournament experience gives the new coach an established base, but the federation has not yet published a complete staff list or a detailed tactical programme. Those elements should be assessed only after official announcements rather than inferred from Zidane’s previous club work.
For France, the decision links two successful eras: Zidane was a central player in the 1998 World Cup-winning team, while Deschamps captained that side before later coaching the country to the 2018 title. The next stage will be judged by competitive results, beginning with the Nations League and building toward Euro 2028.
