Zinedine Zidane Expected to Be Named New France Coach

The French Football Federation announced on Thursday that its president, Philippe Diallo, will name the new coach of the national team at a press conference at the federation's headquarters in Paris next Tuesday. Zinedine Zidane is widely expected to step into the role, replacing Didier Deschamps.

Zidane, 54, has not coached since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. During his tenure at Real Madrid, he led the club to three consecutive Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018. Deschamps had been in charge of France for 14 years and stepped down after the World Cup, where Les Bleus lost to Spain in the semifinals.

Under Deschamps, France won the World Cup in 2018, lost the 2022 final on penalties, and lost the European Championship final on home soil in 2016. Zidane was France's playmaker when they won the 1998 World Cup, scoring twice in the final against Brazil, and also starred in their Euro 2000 triumph. He won the Ballon d'Or in 1998. In 108 appearances for France, he scored 31 goals, including a Panenka penalty in the 2006 World Cup final, a match he ended with a red card for headbutting Marco Materazzi.

France's upcoming matches include an away Nations League game against Turkey on September 25, a match in Belgium on September 28, and a home game against Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.