Zinedine Zidane Officially Named Head Coach of France’s National Football Team

Zinedine Zidane has been officially named head coach of France's national football team, succeeding Didier Deschamps after a distinguished career as player and coach.

    Key details

  • • Philippe Diallo to announce Zidane's appointment on July 28 at 11 a.m.
  • • Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps after 14 years as France's coach.
  • • Zidane is expected to shift the team’s style toward a more entertaining, possession-based approach.
  • • Kylian Mbappé remains captain and will adapt to Zidane's coaching philosophy emphasizing discipline and creative freedom.

Zinedine Zidane is set to be officially announced as the new head coach of the French national football team on July 28 at 11 a.m. in Paris by Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation. This appointment marks the end of Didier Deschamps's 14-year tenure, during which he led France to the 2018 World Cup victory, the 2022 final, and the 2026 semi-finals. Zidane, 54, is a legendary figure in French football, known for his illustrious playing career and successful coaching spell at Real Madrid, where he won three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.

This article was translated and synthesized from French sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

Source comparison

Zidane's coaching debut date

Sources report different dates for Zidane's first match as head coach.

ladepeche.fr

"His first match as head coach will be on September 25 against Turkey in the Nations League."

maritima.fr

"His first major tasks will be the upcoming Nations League matches against Belgium and Italy."

Why this matters: One source states Zidane's first match will be on September 25, while another mentions upcoming Nations League matches against Belgium and Italy without specifying a date. This discrepancy affects the understanding of when Zidane will officially start coaching the team.

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