France Appoint Zinedine Zidane as New Head Coach Following 2026 World Cup

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1401 EAT on Tuesday 28 July 2026

Former France captain and midfield legend Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the French national team, the French Football Federation announced on X on Tuesday.

The former Real Madrid manager succeeds Didier Deschamps, whose tenure came to an end two weeks after France finished fourth at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Deschamps’ final match in charge was a 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off.

Zidane, one of France’s most celebrated football figures, takes over the national team after a trophy-laden managerial spell at Real Madrid, where he guided the Spanish giants to multiple major titles, including three consecutive UEFA Champions League crowns.

His appointment ushers in a new era for Les Bleus as they begin preparations for the next international cycle under one of the country’s most iconic football personalities.

Zidane, 54, is expected to begin his tenure with an away UEFA Nations League fixture against Türkiye before France welcome Italy to the Stade de France on 2 October.

Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge, leaves behind an impressive record of 185 matches and 120 victories. During his reign, he guided France to the 2018 FIFA World Cup title, the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League trophy, as well as the Euro 2016 and 2022 World Cup finals.

The two French football icons share a long history, having been teammates in the France squad that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil.

Zidane played a crucial role in that historic triumph, scoring twice in the final against Brazil, and later capped a remarkable year by winning the Ballon d’Or in 1998.

-Aljazeera

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