Zidane confirmed as France’s new manager

French football legend Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of the France national team, succeeding Didier Deschamps following the country’s semi-final exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Zidane, who has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, has signed a contract that will see him lead Les Bleus through the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 54-year-old, regarded as one of France’s greatest-ever footballers, described his appointment as a dream come true. 

Zidane said managing the national team was both a great honour and a major responsibility, while thanking French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo, the federation’s executive committee, and Deschamps for their confidence and years of service to French football.

He also expressed his ambition to guide France to future success on the international stage.

French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo welcomed Zidane’s appointment, describing him as a legend of the game and one of the most respected coaches of his generation. 

Diallo said the appointment brings together one of France’s greatest football icons with a national team that possesses exceptional talent and the ambition to compete for major honours in the coming years.

Zidane replaces Deschamps, who spent 14 years in charge of France and became the country’s longest-serving national team manager. 

During his tenure, Deschamps guided France to victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and reached three major international finals, cementing his place among the nation’s most successful coaches.

As a manager, Zidane built an outstanding reputation during two spells with Real Madrid, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, as well as two La Liga crowns. 

His achievements made him one of the most decorated managers in modern football before stepping away from coaching at the end of the 2020–21 season.

Zidane also enjoyed one of the most celebrated playing careers in football history, inspiring France to their first FIFA World Cup triumph in 1998 before helping the nation win UEFA Euro 2000. 

A Ballon d’Or winner and former Real Madrid midfielder, he will take charge of his first competitive match as France coach in a UEFA Nations League fixture away to Turkey on 25 September, marking the beginning of a new era for the national team.