Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new head coach of the France national football team, with the French Football Federation (FFF) confirming a four-year contract that begins on August 1. His coaching staff is expected to be unveiled in September.
Zidane succeeds Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year reign came to an end after France reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, where they were defeated by La Roja, and lost 6-4 to England in the third-place play-off. Deschamps had announced in January 2025 that he would step down following the tournament.
Deschamps leaves behind one of the most successful eras in French football, guiding Les Bleus to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title, the 2022 World Cup final, and the UEFA Euro 2016 final, with several deep runs in major international competitions.
Zidane represented France between 1994 and 2006, making 108 appearances and scoring 31 goals. He famously inspired France to its 1998 FIFA World Cup triumph, scoring twice in the final. His international career ended in the 2006 World Cup final with a red card following his headbutt on Marco Materazzi.
Zidane also enjoyed remarkable success as Real Madrid manager, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, as well as two La Liga championships, before leaving the club in 2021.
Describing his appointment as “an immense joy,” Zidane said he was full of emotion and ready for the challenge. His first matches in charge will come in the UEFA Nations League, with France set to face Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.
