Zidane appointed France head coach on four-year deal

Zinedine Zidane has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the French national men's football team, succeeding his former teammate Didier Deschamps. The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at the French Football Federation (FFF) headquarters in Paris by federation president Philippe Diallo.

The 54-year-old football icon has signed a four-year contract, a deal that will see him lead Les Bleus through the UEFA Nations League campaigns, the 2028 European Championship, and at least the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Zidane takes over from Deschamps, who stepped down after a 14-year tenure that concluded with France's semifinal exit at the recent World Cup, where they lost 2-0 to eventual champions Spain and finished fourth after a defeat to England.

Diallo hailed the appointment as an exceptional moment, noting that leading the national team had long been a dream for Zidane. He also expressed gratitude for Deschamps's work, which included guiding France to the 2018 World Cup title, a runner-up finish in 2022, and a European Championship final in 2016.

Zidane is one of France's most celebrated football figures, having won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 as a player,...