Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France men's national football team, succeeding Didier Deschamps [1].

The appointment marks a significant shift in leadership for the French national team as the federation seeks to shape the future of its football program. Zidane, a global icon of the sport, returns to the national setup to lead the squad back to international glory [4, 5].

The French Football Federation made the announcement Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Paris [3, 2]. As part of the agreement, Zidane signed a contract lasting four years [3].

Zidane said the appointment was "the continuation of a dream" [1].

His history with the national team is deeply rooted in success. Zidane previously helped lead France to victory during the 1998 World Cup, a tournament in which he scored two goals in the final [1].

The transition comes as the federation moves past the era of Didier Deschamps. While some reports suggested the appointment followed the 2026 World Cup, other accounts confirmed the appointment on Tuesday [2, 3].

“the continuation of a dream”

Zidane's appointment represents a move by the French Football Federation to leverage a legendary figure's tactical expertise and prestige to maintain France's status as a global football powerhouse. By securing a four-year commitment, the federation is prioritizing long-term stability and a distinct identity for the squad following the tenure of Didier Deschamps.