Zinedine Zidane set to be unveiled as new France head coach after five-year break from dugout

Zinedine Zidane is poised to make a dramatic return to management as head coach of France, with the French Football Federation (FFF) confirming it will present Didier Deschamps’ successor at a press conference next week.

The FFF announced on Thursday that president Philippe Diallo will host a media conference on Tuesday 28 July 2026 at 11:00 local time at the federation’s headquarters, immediately after an extraordinary meeting of its executive committee.

While the statement did not name the new manager, multiple well-sourced French reports say Zidane has already reached an agreement to take charge of “Les Bleus”, five years after he left Real Madrid in June 2021.

FFF confirms date to present new France boss

In its official communication, the FFF said: “سيعقد رييس الاتحاد الفرنسي لكرة القدم فيليب ديالو موتمرا صحفيا يوم الثلاثاء 28 يوليو 2026، بداية من الساعة 11 صباحا، في مقر الاتحاد”، adding that the briefing will follow a special meeting of the executive committee at which the new national team coach will be formally approved and then introduced to the media.

The statement effectively confirms the timing that had been revealed by local newspapers on Wednesday evening.

Crucially, the federation will not hold a farewell ceremony for outgoing coach Deschamps, who ends a 14-year spell in charge, instead shifting attention straight to the unveiling of his replacement.

Deschamps, 57, guided France to the 2018 World Cup title, the Euro 2016 final and the 2022 World Cup final, becoming one of the most successful international coaches of the modern era.

Zidane’s long-awaited move into national team role

Zidane, 54, has been out of work since stepping down from Real Madrid for a second time in 2021, despite attracting numerous offers from top clubs and federations.

He has long been linked with the France job, repeatedly reported to be waiting specifically for the chance to lead the national team he starred for as a player, winning the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

According to several French media outlets, Zidane has already finalised the broad terms of his contract with the FFF, with only minor details over the composition of his backroom staff left to be resolved before his appointment is made official.

Special exemption from new salary cap rules

Zidane’s expected arrival comes against the backdrop of recent reforms to salary ceilings approved by the French parliament.

However, his pay package will not be constrained by those new limits. Reports say the former Juventus and Real Madrid playmaker has been granted a specific exemption by the relevant government authorities, clearing the way for a lucrative deal in line with his status in the game.

That exception underlines both his commercial and symbolic importance to French football and the FFF’s determination to secure his services.

Tough Nations League schedule from the outset

Zidane, if confirmed, will not be eased gently into the role. France face a demanding run of fixtures in the UEFA Nations League between September and November, giving the new coach little time to impose his ideas.

His tenure is expected to begin away to Turkey on 25 September, followed by another away match against Belgium on 28 September.

He would then take charge of his first home game at the Stade de France on 2 October against Italy – a meeting laden with personal resonance after the five seasons he spent at Juventus as a player.

The Italy match could carry added intrigue if reports prove correct that Deschamps is a candidate to take over as Azzurri head coach following his departure from France.

France’s group campaign is then scheduled to continue with a home game against Belgium on 5 October, an away fixture in Italy on 12 November and a home match against Turkey on 15 November.

France fixtures under Zidane in UEFA Nations League

Turkey v France 25 September Belgium v France 28 September France v Italy 2 October France v Belgium 5 October Italy v France 12 November France v Turkey 15 November

If the FFF, as widely expected, confirms Zidane on Tuesday, one of France’s greatest ever players will finally step into the role many in the country have seen as his destiny.