Zinédine Zidane Sets Out Early September Start and Nations League Plans as France's New Coach

Zinédine Zidane officially began his tenure as the French national football team head coach on July 28, 2026, succeeding Didier Deschamps after his 14-year spell. Zidane, a revered World Cup winner with France, expressed his singular ambition to lead the national team and committed to driving results. His initial schedule includes announcing his first squad and coaching staff in early September, ahead of France's opening match on September 25, 2026, against Turkey in the UEFA Nations League.

Following this, Zidane will face an early significant challenge as France meets Belgium on September 28, and hosts Italy in what will be his first home match at the Stade de France on October 2, a match imbued with history recalling the 2006 World Cup final. The team continues its cycle with further Nations League fixtures against Belgium, Italy, and Turkey through October and November.

Zidane's contract extends four years, targeting qualification for the quarter-finals by March 2027, with sights set on Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup. His appointment generated positive reactions, including from captain Kylian Mbappé, who welcomed Zidane warmly while praising Deschamps' legacy. Football analyst Pierre Ménès highlighted Zidane's impressive and open inaugural press conference where he acknowledged challenges such as combating racism and expressed solidarity with French firefighters and farmers amid crises.

This early phase underscores Zidane's commitment to uphold France's footballing excellence by balancing respect for past achievements with fresh ambitions for the team's future.