Appointment comes after Didier Deschamps stepped down following 14 years in charge
Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as France’s head coach after Didier Deschamps stepped down following the 2026 World Cup.
It has ended years of expectation that the former Real Madrid manager would eventually take charge of the national team.
The French Football Federation confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, with president Philippe Diallo announcing that Zidane has signed a four-year contract. The 54-year-old will begin the role on 1 August and is expected to reveal the rest of his coaching staff in September.
Diallo said: “This is an exceptional moment, exceptional because of the person sat next to me. Zinedine is one of the legends of French soccer and for many years he said one of his dreams was to take charge of the France team.”
Zidane has been without a coaching role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, despite being linked with several club and international vacancies during that period. He said he had rejected those opportunities while waiting for the chance to lead his country.
“For me it’s a continuity, a dream,” Zidane said. “I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club but I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”
He added: “I have so many emotions, I am ready for the challenge. That’s what motivates me.”
Deschamps had announced in January 2025 that he would leave the position at the end of the 2026 World Cup. His final tournament ended with a semi-final defeat to Spain after France had won all three group matches and progressed through the knockout rounds by beating Sweden, Paraguay and Morocco. France then lost 6-4 to England in the third-place play-off.
Zidane paid tribute to his predecessor, who guided France to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final, where they were beaten on penalties by Argentina. Deschamps also led the team to the Euro 2016 final.
“Today I have the opportunity to be in charge of this team and I will give everything so that this team can win,” Zidane said. “I would also like to congratulate DD for these remarkable years.”
As a player, Zidane helped France win the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 before becoming one of the country’s most decorated coaches during two spells at Real Madrid.
He won three successive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018 and lifted La Liga twice before leaving the Spanish club after the 2020-21 season.
