The wait is coming to an end. As expected, Zinédine Zidane is to be officially presented as the new head coach of the French national team on Tuesday, July 28, starting at 11 AM. Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, will announce Didier Deschamps’ successor during a press conference held at the FFF headquarters.
The FFF has not yet officially named Zidane
In its statement, the Federation only announces that Philippe Diallo will present the next head coach of Les Bleus. Zinédine Zidane’s name does not yet appear officially. However, this final precaution leaves little room for doubt: barring any completely unexpected change, the 1998 World Cup champion will indeed take charge of the French team.
The FFF Executive Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday morning to formally validate the appointment. The press conference will then begin at 11 AM with Philippe Diallo and the new head coach. This event will end several months of anticipation around a choice long presented as a priority by the Federation.
A four-year contract through the 2030 World Cup
Zinédine Zidane is expected to sign a four-year contract that will take him through the 2030 World Cup. His start date is announced for September 1, after a month of August dedicated to setting up his staff and preparing for his first squad gathering.
At 54 years old, the former number 10 of Les Bleus will return to a team whose history he deeply marked as a player. He played his first international match on August 17, 1994, before becoming one of the main architects of the 1998 World Cup title and the 2000 European Championship victory.
After his playing career, Zidane made his mark on the bench at Real Madrid. He has not coached since leaving the Spanish club in 2021, despite numerous offers and several options discussed over the years. The position of head coach of the French national team was considered his priority.
David Bettoni expected in his staff
Part of Zinédine Zidane’s coaching staff could be revealed as early as the press conference. David Bettoni, his former assistant at Real Madrid, is expected to join him. Hamidou Msaidie is also expected to join the staff, while Grégory Dupont is announced to take charge of physical preparation.
Stéphane Planque is expected to join the player scouting unit, and Dr. Hervé Collado could take over the medical department. The situations of Fabien Barthez, expected to work with the goalkeepers, and Bernard Diomède are still to be resolved. The full staff should be finalized during August.
First match in Turkey on September 25
The first gathering of the Zidane era will take place in September. The new head coach will then reveal his first squad list before leading Les Bleus for the first time on Friday, September 25 in Turkey, during the Nations League. France will then travel to Belgium on September 28.
Les Bleus will then return to Stade de France to host Italy on Friday, October 2, then Belgium on Monday, October 5. They will also host Turkey on Sunday, November 15 at Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux.
Zidane succeeds 14 years of Deschamps’ reign
Zinédine Zidane will succeed Didier Deschamps, appointed in July 2012 and who remained 14 years at the helm of the French national team. The former captain of Les Bleus managed 185 matches, with 120 wins, 35 draws, and 30 losses. He won the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League, while leading France to the finals of Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup.
His last match ended with a defeat against England in the third-place match of the 2026 World Cup. Just days after the end of the World Cup, the FFF is thus preparing to open a new era. On Tuesday, July 28, Zinédine Zidane is expected to finally become the head coach of the French national team.
