Official: Zinedine Zidane named new France head coach on four-year contract

Zinedine Zidane has officially been appointed as the new head coach of the France national team, beginning a new chapter with Les Bleus after signing a four-year contract that runs until the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by French Football Federation (FFF) president Philippe Diallo following an extraordinary Executive Committee meeting at the federation’s headquarters in Paris.

Zidane succeeds Didier Deschamps, whose 14-year spell in charge came to an end after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 54-year-old former France captain will officially assume his duties on 1 September as he prepares to lead the national team into a new era.

Presenting the new manager, Diallo expressed confidence that Zidane was the ideal choice to continue the team’s success.

“Zinedine Zidane is a tremendous champion. His career, his high standards and his attachment to the blue jersey make him a natural choice to open a new chapter in the history of the French team,” said Mr. Diallo during the presentation of the new coach.

Zidane described the appointment as the fulfilment of a long-held ambition, revealing that he had declined opportunities to return to club football while waiting for the chance to lead his country.

“Today is a continuation for me, a dream come true. For four or five years, I received offers to coach a club and I refused them all to coach the French national team.

It’s the only thing I wanted to do (…). I’m going to give everything so that this team continues to win, that’s the only thing that motivates me,” Zidane stated.

The appointment marks Zidane’s first experience as the head coach of a national team.

As a player, he enjoyed one of the most decorated international careers in French football history, helping France win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship in 2000.

His achievements as a coach are equally impressive.

During two spells in charge of Real Madrid, Zidane guided the Spanish giants to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018. He also won two La Liga championships, two FIFA Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.

Zidane’s first gathering with the France squad is scheduled for September, when preparations begin for four UEFA Nations League fixtures against Turkey, Belgium, twice, and Italy.

His first match as France head coach is set to take place on 25 September against Turkey, marking the beginning of a new era for one of international football’s most successful national teams.