Zinedine Zidane has been named as the new head coach of France for the next four years, the French Football Federation announced on Tuesday.
The 54-year-old will take over from longtime head coach Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup, which ended in disappointment for Les Bleus.
Zidane will be counted on to lift the organization’s spirits after the national team, which was widely regarded as one of the favorites to win the title in North America, was bounced from the tournament by eventual winner Spain in the semifinals. Les Bleus were then beaten by England in the third-place match.
This move will see the French icon reenter the world of management after leaving his job as Real Madrid head coach in 2021.
SPAIN'S MIDFIELDER #16 RODRI LIFTS THE TROPHY WITH HIS TEAMMATES AFTER WINNING THE 2026 WORLD CUP FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT FINAL MATCH BETWEEN SPAIN AND ARGENTINA AT THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY STADIUM IN EAST RUTHERFORD ON JULY 19, 2026. (PHOTO BY FRANCK FIFE / AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)
