The French Football Federation appointed Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach of the France national team on Tuesday. Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after the 2026 World Cup.
Zidane signed a 4 year contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup. He is scheduled to begin his duties in September. Deschamps managed the team for 14 years and led France in multiple major tournaments.
Zidane, 54, is a former France midfielder. He won the 1998 World Cup as a player with the national team on home soil. He also received the Ballon d’Or award during his playing career. After retiring, he managed Real Madrid and guided the club to three consecutive Champions League titles.
Zidane left Real Madrid in 2021. He turned down several club offers in the years that followed while waiting for the opportunity to coach the France national team. Federation president Philippe Diallo confirmed the appointment at a news conference in Paris.
The France team finished fourth at the 2026 World Cup under Deschamps. Zidane will take charge of a squad that includes established international players. His first matches are expected in the UEFA Nations League later this year.
Zidane and Deschamps were teammates on the France side that won the 1998 World Cup. They also played together at Juventus earlier in their careers. The appointment marks Zidane’s return to management after five years away from coaching.
The French Football Federation selected Zidane to lead the team into the next cycle of international competitions. He will work with the current group of players as preparations continue for the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 World Cup.