Zinedine Zidane appointed head coach of French national team following 2026 World Cup exit
The 54-year-old returns to management for the first time since 2021, taking charge of Les Bleus after their semi-final defeat to Spain.
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.
Deschamps stepped down from his position following France’s semi-final exit at the 2026 World Cup, where the team was defeated by Spain. His tenure, which spanned from 2012 to 2026, included a World Cup victory in 2018, a runner-up finish in the 2022 final, and a European Championship final appearance in 2016. France subsequently lost the third-place play-off to England 6-4, with Jude Bellingham scoring the decisive goal.
Zidane, aged 54, is set to take charge of the national squad for the first time since his playing career ended. He last held a coaching role at Real Madrid, departing the Spanish club in 2021. During his time at the Bernabéu, Zidane guided the team to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, an achievement described as unprecedented in the competition's modern era.
The appointment marks a return to the national setup for a player who was instrumental in France’s golden generation. Zidane was the playmaker when France won the 1998 World Cup, scoring twice in the final against Brazil, and helped secure the European Championship title in 2000. He earned 108 caps for his country, scoring 31 goals, and was awarded the men’s Ballon d’Or in 1998.
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.
