Zinédine Zidane's France Debuts Amid Squad Changes Ahead of Nations League

Zinédine Zidane begins his tenure as head coach of the French national football team with a match against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League on September 25, 2026. This marks a new chapter for France following Didier Deschamps' 14-year leadership. However, the squad faces challenges as defender Ibrahima Konaté, a former Liverpool player, suffers a slight sprain to his right knee during training at Clairefontaine and will miss the next four Nations League matches. In response, 20-year-old Leny Yoro of Manchester United has been called up to the national team for the first time as Konaté’s replacement.

The Nations League competition sees Spain as favorites after their recent World Cup victory in July, led by coach Luis de la Fuente, with a strong squad including standout Paris Saint-Germain forward Ferran Torres. France’s group opener against Turkey is a significant moment under Zidane’s leadership as the French squad integrates new players and adapts to the transition.

Meanwhile, other European teams like Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal are also experiencing coaching changes and team rebuilds. Notably, Portugal's 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo returns under new coach Jorge Jesus, highlighting the varied dynamics across the continent.

With Konaté sidelined and new talent stepping in, Zidane’s early period as France’s coach is shaping up as a test of adaptation and strategic evolution in a competitive Nations League landscape.