Zinedine Zidane officially became the head coach of France’s national soccer team on July 28, 2026, ending a five-year coaching hiatus and stepping into one of the most high-profile roles in global sports. The four-year contract begins August 1, and his first match is expected during the 2027 UEFA Nations League.
The biggest name in French football returns
Zidane succeeds Didier Deschamps, who held the position for 14 years and guided France to the 2018 World Cup title. Deschamps resigned following France’s semifinal exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, closing one of the longest and most successful tenures in international football management.
Zidane reportedly turned down every single coaching offer since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, waiting specifically for this role.
The press conference took place at the French Football Federation headquarters in Paris, where Zidane’s appointment was framed as the natural succession for a man who led France to glory as a player in the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship.
