Zinédine Zidane Embarks on New Era with France in Nations League Opener Against Turkey

A new chapter for the French national football team begins on September 25, 2026, as Zinédine Zidane makes his coaching debut against Turkey in the opening match of the 2026 Nations League. Zidane, who succeeded Didier Deschamps after his 14-year tenure, steps into this role amid high expectations and a desire to imprint his own style on the team.

The match, held in Kocaeli, Turkey, marks the start of a busy Nations League schedule for France, with subsequent games against Belgium and Italy scheduled within the following ten days. While France enters the contest as favorites—being the 2021 Nations League champions and having finished fourth in the recent World Cup—Turkey arrives after a challenging World Cup campaign ending in a group stage exit.

Zidane's first training sessions have revealed tactical shifts, most notably a transition from the previous 4-2-3-1 system under Deschamps to a more attacking 4-3-3 formation. This change is underscored by the repositioning of Kylian Mbappé, who is expected to move from center forward to the left wing alongside Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, signaling Zidane's intent to leverage offensive flexibility.

Midfielder Adrien Rabiot has noted Zidane's discreet and modest coaching style, emphasizing that the new manager prefers focusing on the players rather than seeking personal spotlight. "It's a bit the case. We know very well his importance in French football," commented Rabiot. "He takes up a lot of space, and people expect a lot from him," he added, emphasizing the team's commitment to winning amid new tactical approaches.

Zidane himself expressed profound personal emotion in assuming the national head coach role, stating, "It's even more than for my first [match] as a player. Today, I feel an immense emotion to be at the head of the French team." Despite the hype, he is focused on delivering results rather than building a personal legacy.

The upcoming Nations League matches—beginning with Turkey on September 25, followed by Belgium on September 28, and Italy on October 2—are viewed as foundational steps for Zidane's longer-term vision, targeting strong performances ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The French public and football community eagerly await to see how Zidane's measured, player-focused leadership and tactical innovations will translate on the field in these early tests.