Zinedine Zidane has been confirmed as the new head coach of the France national football team, succeeding Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years in charge following France's semi-final defeat to Spain at the 2026 World Cup. Zidane, a 1998 World Cup winner and widely regarded as France's greatest ever player, had been out of management since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021. His appointment ends years of speculation linking him to the role, dating back to France's group-stage exit at the 2010 World Cup.

The 54-year-old will sign a contract taking him through to the 2030 World Cup qualifiers, with his first match in charge a Nations League trip to Turkey on 25 September. As a manager, Zidane won three consecutive Champions League titles and two La Liga crowns with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2021. Deschamps, France's longest-serving manager, led the team to three major finals, including World Cup glory in 2018.