Zinedine Zidane’s first France home game sells out in record time

Tickets for Zinedine Zidane’s first home match as France manager sold out in less than 24 hours, underlining the enduring appeal of one of the country’s greatest football figures.

France are due to host Italy on 2 October in the UEFA Nations League, with the match scheduled to take place at the 80,000-capacity Stade de France.

The French national team’s official accounts confirmed that the stadium had reached full capacity after tickets went on sale. The rapid demand has provided an early indication of the level of public interest surrounding Zidane’s appointment and the new direction of the national team.

Zidane has taken charge of France after Didier Deschamps, who led Les Bleus for 14 years, left his position. His arrival marks the beginning of a new era for the team, with hopes that the former France midfielder can help restore the side to the summit of European and world football.

The match against Italy will be Zidane’s first home fixture in charge, but his tenure will begin earlier. France are scheduled to play in Turkey on 25 September in their opening match under the former Real Madrid manager.

Three days later, France will travel to Belgium for another UEFA Nations League fixture. Belgium will then visit Paris for a further meeting with France on 5 October.

Only a limited number of tickets in the first category remained available for that match, according to media network RMC. The strong demand for both fixtures suggests that interest in the national team has been renewed by Zidane’s appointment.

Zidane is one of the most celebrated players in French football history. He helped France win the 1998 World Cup on home soil and was also part of the side that became European champions in 2000. His status as a national sporting icon has made his move into the France job a major event for supporters.

His appointment follows a long period in which Deschamps led the team through a highly successful era. Under Deschamps, France won the 2018 World Cup and reached the World Cup final again in 2022, while also competing at the highest level of European football.

The sell-out at Stade de France means Zidane will begin his home reign in front of a full crowd. The Italy fixture is expected to provide the first opportunity for supporters in France to see his team in person, while the matches in Turkey and Belgium will offer an earlier assessment of how the new manager intends to shape the side.

With tickets disappearing almost immediately, Zidane’s first weeks in charge have already generated considerable anticipation before France have played a match under him.