Zinedine Zidane will be officially unveiled as the new head coach of the French national football team on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, according to multiple reports. The announcement comes after Didier Deschamps' tenure ended following France's elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Deschamps, who led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League, stepped down after the team's quarterfinal exit to Argentina on July 10, 2026. The French Football Federation (FFF) has since been in negotiations with Zidane, a former France captain and World Cup winner.
Zidane, 54, has been out of management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. He previously won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles with the Spanish club from 2016 to 2018. His appointment is seen as a major coup for French football, with expectations high for the 2028 European Championship qualifying campaign.
The FFF has not yet commented on the length of Zidane's contract, but sources indicate it will run through the 2028 European Championship.
