Zidane confirmed as France head coach

What the report says

Nile Post, carrying BBC Sport copy, reported that Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of France’s national football team after Didier Deschamps’ 14-year tenure ended following France’s semi-final defeat to Spain at the 2026 World Cup. The report says Zidane, 54, will take charge through the 2030 World Cup qualifying cycle, with his first competitive match listed as a Nations League away fixture against Turkey on 25 September.

Zidane returns to management after leaving Real Madrid in 2021. He previously built one of the most successful recent coaching records in club football, winning three consecutive Champions League titles with Madrid after taking over the first team in January 2016, and later adding another La Liga title during a second spell at the club. He had earlier coached Real Madrid Castilla.

The appointment is significant because Zidane is one of France’s most celebrated former players. He scored twice in the 1998 World Cup final as France won the tournament for the first time, was part of the Euro 2000-winning side, and later helped France reach the 2006 World Cup final in his last match as a professional. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo described the appointment as a proud moment for the federation and pointed to Zidane’s stature in French football.

Deschamps leaves after a long and successful spell that included France’s 2018 World Cup triumph and appearances in three major finals. Zidane, who said leading the national team was a major source of pride and responsibility, now inherits a squad the report describes as having high potential and expectations.