Zinedine Zidane appointed head coach of France national team following 2026 World Cup exit
Zinedine Zidane has been named the new head coach of 'Les Bleus', becoming the third former international player to lead the national side. The appointment follows Didier Deschamps’ departure after France’s semi-final exit at the 2026 World Cup.
The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially appointed Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach of the national team, Les Bleus. The announcement was made on Tuesday by FFF president Philippe Diallo, confirming long-standing speculation that the football legend would succeed Didier Deschamps.
Zidane becomes the third former French international player to coach the national team, following Laurent Blanc, who led the side from 2010 to 2012, and Deschamps. His immediate challenge involves preparing the squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. France is scheduled to play away against Turkey on 25 September, followed by a match in Belgium on 28 September, before hosting Italy at the Stade de France on 2 October.
Deschamps stepped down from his position following France’s semi-final exit at the 2026 World Cup. The tournament concluded with a third-place playoff match where England defeated France 6-4. Jude Bellingham scored the winning goal for England in the 90+8th minute of that match, which served as Deschamps' final game as manager.
The appointment marks a significant return for Zidane, who helped Les Bleus win their first World Cup nearly thirty years ago. He is also widely remembered for his infamous red card in the 2006 World Cup final. The 2026 World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday, 19 July 2026, in New Jersey.
While the source material contains technical errors regarding media playback, the textual summary confirms the administrative transition within French football governance. The focus now shifts to Zidane’s tactical preparation for the immediate international fixtures against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.
