France’s next chapter in international football is starting to take shape, and it looks a lot like 1998.
According to L’Équipe, Zinédine Zidane has initiated discussions to bring former France goalkeeper Fabien Barthez into his coaching setup as goalkeeping coach for the national team. The report surfaced on June 23, 2026, with Zidane widely expected to take the reins of Les Bleus following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The two men share history that goes well beyond professional courtesy. Zidane and Barthez were teammates on the France squad that won the 1998 World Cup on home soil, a tournament that remains the defining moment in French football history.
The setup so far
Zidane’s path to the France job has been one of the worst-kept secrets in European football. An informal verbal agreement with the French Football Federation is reportedly in place, with the formal transition expected once the 2026 World Cup wraps up.
