The French Football Federation (FFF) has announced the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the France national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after leading France to the last four of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they finished in fourth place.
In a statement, the federation confirmed that Zidane had signed a four-year contract to manage the national team through to the end of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
“Following an Executive Committee meeting held on Tuesday morning, the French Football Federation (FFF) and its President, Philippe Diallo, are pleased to announce the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the French men’s national team for the next four years, through to the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
“Zinedine Zidane becomes the 18th head coach in the history of Les Bleus since Henri Guérin in 1964, succeeding Didier Deschamps. The new head coach will officially take up his duties on August 1 and will lead the France national team beginning with the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League campaign. He will then oversee the team’s UEFA Euro 2028 qualifying campaign, the 2028–29 UEFA Nations League, and the qualification campaign for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Zidane will announce the composition of his coaching staff in early September.”
Speaking after his appointment, Zidane expressed his pride at taking over the national team and thanked the federation for its confidence in him.
“I’ve often said it: there is nothing greater than the France national team. It is therefore a joy and, of course, a great honour to become the head coach of this team. It is also a great responsibility. I would like to thank President Philippe Diallo, the Executive Committee, and the French Football Federation for their trust, and I want to pay tribute to Didier and his staff for their fourteen years of work. Today, I also have a special thought for all the coaches who helped shape my career. Needless to say, I have great ambitions for the France national team!”
FFF President Philippe Diallo welcomed Zidane’s arrival, describing the appointment as the beginning of a new era for the national team.
“The appointment of Zinedine Zidane as head coach of the France national team is a tremendous source of pride for the French Football Federation. It brings together a legend of Les Bleus, who has become one of the most successful and respected coaches of his generation, with a national team of exceptional potential driven by the highest ambitions. Zinedine Zidane’s remarkable journey has been defined by talent, hard work, humility and excellence. These are values shared by the France national team, and together we intend to uphold them with ambition over the next four years.”
The 54-year-old previously managed Real Madrid in two spells, first from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2019 to 2021. During his tenure, he guided the Spanish giants to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, two La Liga championships, two FIFA Club World Cups and two UEFA Super Cups, establishing himself as one of the most successful managers in the club’s history.
As a player, Zidane enjoyed one of football’s most decorated careers, winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000 with France. At club level, he won league titles with Juventus and the UEFA Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002, where he scored one of the competition’s most iconic goals in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Zidane’s first competitive matches in charge of France will come in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League before he begins the country’s qualification campaign for UEFA Euro 2028 and, ultimately, the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
