Credited from: LEMONDE
Zinédine Zidane, the former French midfielder, has been officially appointed as the head coach of the national football team as of July 28, 2026. This marks a long-awaited step for Zidane, who has expressed aspirations for this role since 2012, ultimately succeeding Didier Deschamps after his departure following France's fourth-place finish at the World Cup, losing a notable match against England by a score of 6-4, according to Le Monde, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.
Zidane, age 54, previously managed Real Madrid and is seen as a pivotal choice for the role. He is expected to make his debut in the UEFA Nations League against Turkey, followed by a home match against Italy on October 2. Deschamps, who has left after a highly successful 14 years, led the team to significant victories including the 2018 World Cup and the Euro 2016 finals, as noted by Le Monde, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.