Zinedine Zidane, a football legend in France, has been officially named the head coach of the French national team, taking over from Didier Deschamps after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The French Football Federation (FFF) made the announcement on Tuesday, concluding months of speculation about who would guide Les Bleus into a new era.
Zidane, celebrated as one of France’s greatest footballers and a 1998 World Cup champion, has signed a four-year contract that will extend to the 2030 FIFA World Cup. At 54, Zidane returns to coaching after leaving Real Madrid in 2021, where he achieved notable success, including three consecutive UEFA Champions League victories.
During his unveiling in Paris, Zidane expressed that becoming the head coach of the French national team is a tremendous honor and the pinnacle of his coaching aspirations. He expressed gratitude to the French Football Federation for their trust and acknowledged Deschamps for his 14 years of dedication to the national team.
Deschamps concluded his tenure having led France to a fourth-place finish at the 2026 World Cup, closing one of the most triumphant periods in the country’s managerial history, highlighted by winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League.
Zidane’s leadership is anticipated to commence with France’s UEFA Nations League matches later this year as he aims to develop a team geared towards success in the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup. Football enthusiasts and analysts have greeted his appointment positively, viewing it as the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of the world’s most successful national teams.
