Zidane gets down to work as France start new era

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Zinedine Zidane has officially taken over as head coach of the French national football team, leading them for the first time in a UEFA Nations League match against Turkiye. His appointment marks a new era focused on a more attack-minded style as France aims to build on its recent success and prepare for major tournaments like Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.

Zinedine Zidane has officially begun his tenure as head coach of the French national football team, leading Les Bleus for the first time in a UEFA Nations League match against Turkiye on Friday. At 54, Zidane steps into the role following the departure of Didier Deschamps, who managed the team for 14 years, guiding France to multiple major tournament semi-finals and a World Cup victory in 2018.

Widely regarded as one of France’s greatest players alongside Michel Platini, Zidane brings a storied legacy to the position. His international playing career concluded 20 years ago during the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, marked by a headbutt incident involving Italy’s Marco Materazzi. Born in Marseille to Algerian immigrant parents, Zidane left France at age 24 to join Juventus in Italy and later starred at Real Madrid, where he enjoyed the most celebrated period of his club career. He transitioned to coaching with two spells at Real Madrid, winning the UEFA Champions League three consecutive times between 2016 and 2018 before leaving the club in 2021.

Zidane expressed strong emotion and enthusiasm upon his appointment this past July, describing the role as a significant milestone. His arrival has been warmly welcomed by key players, including star forward Kylian Mbappe, who has been confirmed as the new captain. Zidane announced his first squad ahead of the Nations League fixtures, featuring a mix of established talents and new faces. Notable absences include injured Arsenal defender William Saliba and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. New call-ups such as Liverpool centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, and Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul—who was top scorer in Ligue 1 last season—highlight Zidane’s intent to refresh the squad.

The new coach has signaled a shift towards a more attack-oriented style of play compared to much of the Deschamps era, which prioritized tactical discipline and defensive solidity. Zidane emphasized his desire to see an entertaining, balanced team reflecting his vision of good football. This approach aligns with recent trends observed during the 2026 World Cup in North America, where France played more proactively but ultimately lost to Spain in the semi-finals despite Mbappe’s standout performance as the tournament’s top scorer.

Assisting Zidane are David Bettoni, who worked closely with him at Real Madrid, and Fabien Barthez, former World Cup-winning goalkeeper with France, who has taken on the role of goalkeeping coach.

Looking beyond the Nations League challenge, Zidane’s longer-term objectives include preparing the team for the UEFA European Championship in 2028, set to be hosted by the UK and Ireland, and the 2030 World Cup, jointly organized by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. With France’s recent history of consistent deep tournament runs, the expectations for Zidane’s era remain high as the team seeks to blend renewed attacking ambitions with the legacy of sustained success.

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