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Zinédine Zidane appointed head coach of the French national football team

Published July 28, 2026 at 4:32 PM UTC

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Zinédine Zidane, the legendary French midfielder and former Real Madrid manager, has been appointed head coach of the French national football team, ending years of speculation. The French Football Federation announced the decision on Wednesday, confirming that Zidane will succeed Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after leading France to the 2022 World Cup final and winning the 2018 title. Zidane, 51, turned down multiple club offers over the past three years, including from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, waiting for the France job. 'I turned down everything for the French national team,' he said at his first press conference. 'This is the ultimate honor.' The appointment comes as France seeks to rebuild after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals. Zidane's task will be to blend experienced stars like Kylian Mbappé with emerging talent, while restoring the team's fluid attacking style. He brings a glittering record: three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid and a World Cup winner's medal as a player. His contract runs through the 2026 World Cup, with an option for four years. Fans and pundits have reacted with enthusiasm, though some question whether his club success will translate to international football, where preparation time is limited. The federation praised his 'tactical intelligence and ability to inspire players.' Zidane's first matches will be friendlies in March, followed by qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.