Zinedine Zidane is on the brink of being appointed France head coach, with the French Football Federation (FFF) expected to confirm his arrival “within days”, according to reports in France.
French sports daily L’Equipe says Tuesday has been earmarked as the “probable” date for the official announcement, signalling the start of a new era under the 1998 World Cup-winning captain. Zidane is understood to have agreed a four-year deal to lead Les Bleus.
The move would see Zidane succeed Didier Deschamps, who brought a 14-year spell in charge of the national team to an end after finishing fourth at the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Agreement after months of talks
L’Equipe reports that the FFF, led by president Philippe Diallo, has spent months in discussions with Zidane to shape the sporting project and define the structure of the new technical staff.
Diallo is said to have held a series of meetings with the former Real Madrid coach in recent weeks to finalise the details of the agreement and the composition of his backroom team.
While the federation had hoped to stage a special ceremony to honour Deschamps for his long service and achievements with France, the 55-year-old coach “did not show a desire” for such an event, the report adds.
Deschamps, who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018, a Euro 2016 final and the 2022 World Cup final, departs after more than a decade at the helm, having first taken charge in 2012.
Press conference and backroom overhaul
Once the appointment is made official, the FFF plans to hold a press conference to present Zidane. However, that media event may not take place immediately after the announcement as logistical preparations are still under way at the federation’s headquarters.
L’Equipe says August has been targeted as the month in which Zidane’s new coaching staff will be completed, with “wide-ranging changes” expected compared with Deschamps’ long-serving backroom team. Some members of the new set-up are scheduled to begin their roles at the start of September.
Zidane to debut in Nations League
Zidane’s first matches in charge are set to come during the next international window in the UEFA Nations League, where France face a demanding schedule of four fixtures in quick succession.
Les Bleus are due to meet Turkey on 25 September, before taking on Belgium three days later on 28 September. They then play Italy on 2 October, ahead of a second encounter with Belgium on 5 October.
The run of games will offer Zidane an early test of his tactical ideas at international level and a first chance to work with a squad that, on recent evidence, remains among the strongest in world football despite falling short of the World Cup final in 2026.
First national-team role for decorated coach
The France job will be Zidane’s first experience in charge of a national side, following a glittering stint in club management with Real Madrid.
During two spells in Madrid, he delivered a trophy haul that included three consecutive Champions League titles, establishing his reputation as one of the game’s elite coaches.
Despite attracting multiple offers after leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021, Zidane is reported to have turned down every approach, choosing instead to wait for the opportunity to manage his country.
His anticipated appointment is likely to be viewed in France as the natural continuation of a career that has already left a lasting mark on the national team – first as the playmaker who inspired the 1998 World Cup triumph on home soil, and now as the man tasked with leading a new generation of French talent on the international stage.
