Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France national team, the French Football Federation confirmed. The 54-year-old succeeds Didier Deschamps, who ended a 14-year spell after France’s 2026 World Cup semi-final loss to Spain. Zidane will sign a contract covering the run into the 2030 World Cup qualifiers and will also lead France into Euro 2028 qualifying. He has not managed since leaving Real Madrid after the 2020-21 season and returns to management having previously won three successive Champions League titles with Real Madrid and a La Liga title. On his appointment Zidane said it was “a great source of pride” to lead the national side and described the role as a responsibility, adding he had “high ambitions for the French national team.” French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo called Zidane a “legend” of French football and praised his record and the team’s potential. Zidane’s first competitive fixture in charge will be a Nations League trip to Turkey on 25 September.
Megan Clement3
