Zinedine Zidane Confirmed as New Head Coach of France

Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has officially been appointed head coach of the France national football team, marking the start of a highly anticipated new era for Les Bleus.

The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Zidane’s appointment on July 28, 2026. The 54-year-old succeeds Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge of the national team.

Zidane has signed a four-year contract that will run through the 2030 FIFA World Cup. His appointment brings him back to the international stage more than two decades after his celebrated playing career with France.

As a player, Zidane was a central figure in France’s 1998 World Cup triumph. As a manager, he enjoyed extraordinary success with Real Madrid, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018.

Zidane now faces the challenge of leading a talented French squad into a new cycle, with the 2028 European Championship and 2030 World Cup among the major targets during his tenure.

His first competitive assignment is expected to come in the UEFA Nations League, with France scheduled to face Türkiye on September 25.