France announces Zinedine Zidane as national team manager
Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new manager of the French national football team, replacing Didier Deschamps. Zidane, a legendary former player, takes over a talented squad following a fourth-place finish in the 2026 World Cup.
Why it matters
The appointment of a high-profile figure like Zidane is a major development in international football, impacting the future performance and strategy of a top-tier national team.
Hear this story France has officially named Zinedine Zidane as the new manager of its national team.
The Les Bleus legend will replace Didier Deschamps after the former manager finished the 2026 World Cup in fourth place.
Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, held a press conference on Tuesday, July 28 introducing the new boss. Diallo thanked Deschamps for his work as the longest-tenured manager in France's history. He also congratulated the new head coach, who scored two goals in France's 1998 World Cup final win in which Deschamps was his teammate.
France shared the news on its social media accounts with a graphic featuring a photo of Zidane, 54, wearing a suit and his name in white text below the national team's rooster logo.
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