Zinedine Zidane appointed France coach, replacing Didier Deschamps

Zinedine Zidane was appointed coach of France’s men’s national team on Tuesday, replacing Didier Deschamps and taking his first job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 in one of the biggest leadership changes in French soccer in years.

The French Football Federation announced the appointment at its headquarters in Paris after an extraordinary executive-committee meeting, with federation president Philippe Diallo unveiling the decision at a news conference. Multiple major outlets reported Zidane has signed a four-year contract that will run through the 2030 World Cup.

“This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sat next to me,” Diallo said at the FFF presentation. Zidane, 54, said: “The France team makes you dream,” and added, “I’ve waited five years for this chance, so that’s why I’m a bit emotional.”

The hire brings one of the most recognizable figures in French soccer back into a central national role. As a player, Zidane was a leading figure in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team, helped the country win the 2000 European Championship and won the Ballon d’Or in 1998. As a coach, his résumé is defined by Real Madrid’s three straight UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.

He succeeds Deschamps at the end of one of the most successful coaching spells in France’s history. Deschamps’ tenure ended after the 2026 World Cup, concluding 14 years in charge of the national team. France’s official record under him was 183 matches, with 120 wins, 35 draws and 28 losses, and he led the team to the 2018 World Cup title.

French sports media have reported Zidane’s contract and staff are expected to take effect around Sept. 1, with August used to finalize his backroom team. His first scheduled competitive matches are reported to be in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, away to Turkey on Sept. 25 and at home to Italy on Oct. 2 at the Stade de France.