Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France national football team, replacing Didier Deschamps. The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Zidane signed a four-year contract that runs until the 2030 FIFA World Cup and takes effect on 1 August. The 54-year-old is the third member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad to become national team coach, after Laurent Blanc and Deschamps.
Deschamps served as France head coach for 14 years, overseeing 185 matches and 120 victories. He led the team to win the 2018 World Cup and reach the 2022 World Cup final. His final match was a 6-4 defeat to England in the 2026 World Cup third-place play-off, where France finished fourth.
Zidane's first competitive match as France head coach will be an away UEFA Nations League game against Turkey on 25 September. His first home match will be against Italy at the Stade de France on 2 October. Zidane is expected to announce his first squad in September.
Zidane previously coached Real Madrid, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles (2016, 2017, 2018) and two La Liga titles (2016-17, 2019-20). During his playing career, he made 108 appearances for France, scoring 31 goals, and won the Ballon d'Or in 1998. He scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final to help France beat Brazil 3-0. His playing career ended after being sent off in the 2006 World Cup final for headbutting Marco Materazzi.
Zidane turned down all coaching offers over the previous five years to wait for the France job. He indicated his coaching staff is expected to be practically the same as at Real Madrid. He also said he could have taken a three-year role but Deschamps was already there. Reports suggest Zidane has not yet spoken to captain Kylian Mbappé. The FFF first contacted Zidane about the role in February 2025.
More than 120 journalists and photographers were reportedly expected at the FFF headquarters for Zidane's presentation. He opened his first address with a message of support for those affected by wildfires in southwestern France.
FFF President Philippe Diallo stated that Zidane's appointment marks a meeting between a legend and a team with high ambitions.