PARIS: Zinedine Zidane was appointed France coach on Tuesday, July 28, on a four-year contract running through the 2030 World Cup.
The French Football Federation approved Zidane’s appointment during an executive committee meeting. He will officially begin work on August 1 and succeed Didier Deschamps, the FFF announced.
Zidane becomes the 18th French coach since Henri Guérin took over in 1964. He said managing the national team brought immense pride and responsibility.
The 54-year-old had not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. He said he rejected several club offers while waiting for the France position.
Zidane won three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid from 2016 to 2018. As a player, he scored twice when France defeated Brazil in the 1998 World Cup final and also helped his country win Euro 2000.
French federation president Philippe Diallo said discussions with Zidane began in February 2025, one month after Deschamps confirmed he would leave following the 2026 World Cup.
Deschamps coached France for 14 years. He guided the team to the 2018 World Cup title and three consecutive World Cup semi-finals, according to the FFF’s account of Zidane’s unveiling.
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Zidane will announce his coaching staff in early September. His first match will be a UEFA Nations League fixture away to Turkey on September 25.
France will then visit Belgium on September 28 before Zidane’s first home match against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.
