Zinedine Zidane has been named as the new head coach of France for the next four years, the French Football Federation announced on Tuesday. The appointment ends years of speculation and marks the beginning of a new chapter for Les Bleus  and for one of the sport’s all-time great personalities.

Background: Why France Needed a New Coach

The appointment of the former Real Madrid manager comes two weeks after Didier Deschamps’ tenure as coach ended following France’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup. Deschamps had been at the helm for well over a decade, and his exit opened the door for the man France had always imagined would one day take over.

Deschamps, who left after 14 years at the helm, oversaw 185 matches and 120 victories, guiding France to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2020-21 Nations League trophy and the Euro 2016 and 2022 World Cup finals. It was a remarkable legacy  but after the 2026 World Cup disappointment, a change was inevitable and widely welcomed.

France, which was widely regarded as one of the favorites to win the title in North America, was bounced from the tournament by eventual winner Spain in the semifinals. Les Bleus were then beaten by England in the third-place match. That painful exit made the transition all the more urgent.

Zidane Is Now Coaching France  The Official Announcement

So where is Zinedine Zidane coaching now? The answer is simple and historic: he is now the head coach of the France national football team.

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed as the new head coach of the France national team. He takes over the charge after Didier Deschamps brought an end to his 14-year tenure following France’s semi-final elimination at the 2026 World Cup.

The former France captain has signed a four-year contract. This means Zidane will be in charge of France through the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign, giving him a clear and long-term mandate to reshape the national team.

This is not just a coaching appointment. For millions of French people  and football fans around the world  this feels like destiny finally arriving on schedule.

Zinedine Zidane Age: How Old Is He Now?

The 54-year-old will take over from longtime head coach Didier Deschamps. Zidane was born on June 23, 1972, in Marseille, France. At 54, he brings the kind of maturity, experience, and calm authority that a major international job demands.

He is not a rookie stepping into the unknown. He is a man who has already conquered every peak the game offers  as a player and as a coach. Now he gets to try something he has never done before: lead his country from the dugout.

How Long Did Zidane Coach Real Madrid?

Before answering where Zidane is coaching now, it is worth understanding just how much he achieved in management. Zidane became the manager of Real Madrid Castilla, Real Madrid’s B team, in 2014, before taking over Real Madrid in the early days of 2016. Real Madrid won La Liga in 2017 and captured three consecutive Champions League titles under Zidane, but he resigned days after the 2018 Champions League final. His time away didn’t last long, as Real Madrid re-hired Zidane early in 2019 for another stint that lasted more than two years. Real Madrid won another La Liga title under Zidane but left the club in May of 2021.

In total, Zidane spent approximately five years as head coach of Real Madrid across his two spells  from January 2016 to May 2018, and then from March 2019 to May 2021. The Frenchman guided Los Blancos to 11 titles during his tenure. Zidane won the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, two La Liga crowns, three UEFA Champions League titles, and two Supercopa de España trophies.

Those three back-to-back Champions League titles remain one of the most staggering achievements in the history of club football management. No coach before or since has repeated it.

Did Zidane Ever Coach France Before?

This is a question many casual fans ask. The short answer is: not as head coach, but his connection to the national team as a player is legendary.

Zidane’s last game with the national team was in the 2006 World Cup final loss against Italy. The No. 10 was sent off for headbutting Italian defender Marco Materazzi en route to France’s penalty shootout loss. That infamous moment in Berlin remains one of the most discussed incidents in football history.

This move represents a first foray into international management for Zidane and a job that he has long been after. Upon leaving his second stint at Real Madrid in 2021, it seemed like Zidane was biding his time, waiting for Deschamps’ exit.

In an interview back in May 2025, Zidane said the job would be “a dream” and that he was “looking forward” to taking it. “I feel qualified for the French team, where I played and spent practically 12, 13, 14 years as a player. Of course it’s a dream. I can’t wait,” said Zidane.

Zidane Coach Which Country  What Comes Next for France?

The France coach 2026 situation is now settled. Zidane will lead Les Bleus into a fresh international cycle. His first tasks are already mapped out.

Zidane is expected to begin his reign with an away UEFA Nations League game against Turkiye before France host Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.

The former Real Madrid manager will lead Les Bleus into their next international cycle, with his contract set to run through the 2030 World Cup qualifiers.

Zidane’s first challenge will be leading France into the Nations League before turning his attention to qualifying for EURO 2028, with a squad still boasting world-class talent including Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and William Saliba.

France remain one of world football’s most talent-rich nations. Under Zidane’s leadership, expectations will be high from the very first match.

Zinedine Zidane Religion: What Faith Does He Follow?

Zidane’s personal life has always been kept relatively private, but his religious background is known. Zinedine Zidane was born in Marseille, France. His ethnic background is Algerian-Kabyle, as both of his parents, Smaïl and Malika, are Berber people from the Kabylie region of Algeria who immigrated to France. Zidane’s parents are both Muslims and they raised their children with the values and traditions of their faith.

Zidane, a devout Muslim born to Algerian immigrants, was also embraced as an ethnic unifier during France’s 1998 World Cup triumph. His identity as a French-Muslim of Algerian descent made his rise to national icon status all the more powerful and meaningful for immigrant communities across France.

Zidane rarely speaks about his religion. In occasional interviews, he has confirmed his Muslim background and expressed immense pride in his Algerian roots and his affinity for the Arab world, which he says is in his blood via his parents.

His name is not random. “Zinedine” comes from Arabic: Zine al-Din, which means “Beauty of the Faith.” It is a name often given in Muslim families and is used across North Africa.

Zinedine Zidane Family: Wife, Children, and Personal Life

Behind every great career is a stable private life, and Zidane has always credited his family as his anchor.

Zidane has been married to Véronique Zidane (née Lentisco) since 1994. She is of Spanish descent and was born in France. The two met when Zidane was just 17, early in his Cannes days, and they have stayed together ever since. They have four sons: Enzo, Luca, Theo, and Elyaz. All of them have gone into football, and all have trained with Real Madrid’s academy.

The focus on family, discipline, and respect that the Zidanes consistently project is consistent with the values emphasized in many religions, including Islam.

Zidane’s strict but loving upbringing in the tough Marseille suburb of La Castellane was fundamental in shaping his character. The values of hard work, humility, and respect, taught by his parents within a Muslim cultural framework, are widely seen as the foundation of his success.

The family keeps a very low profile in public. Véronique is rarely seen at press events, and the couple has been deliberate about shielding their sons from the full intensity of global media attention  even as all four boys pursued professional football careers.

Impact: What Does This Mean for France and World Football?

This appointment carries weight far beyond the tactical. Zidane is not just a coach  he is a symbol.

He is the man who scored two headers in the 1998 World Cup final to give France its first world title. He is the midfielder who defined an era with his elegance and intelligence on the ball. And he is now the manager tasked with delivering another golden period for Les Bleus.

For the French Football Federation, this is a dream appointment  credible, marketable, and emotionally resonant with every generation of supporter. For the players, working under a man widely considered one of the greatest to ever play the game will carry its own sense of privilege and expectation.

Globally, Zidane’s return to the dugout will renew interest in the France national team and raise the profile of every match Les Bleus play. His face alone on a touchline brings attention.

Conclusion: The Next Chapter for Zizou

Zinedine Zidane is now France coach  and the world is watching. After years of waiting, saying no to lucrative offers elsewhere, and keeping himself ready for this exact moment, the 54-year-old has finally taken the job he was born to hold.

His coaching record at Real Madrid proves he can handle pressure, manage elite egos, and win at the highest level. Whether he can translate that to international football  a very different environment  remains the great question of this new chapter.

What is certain is that France have appointed a coach who carries the respect of every player in that dressing room, and the trust of every fan in the stands. The Nations League campaign begins in September. After that, the road to Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup opens up.

Zidane is back. And this time, he is coaching for France.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will Zidane coach France in 2026?

Yes, Zinedine Zidane has officially been appointed as France head coach and will begin his tenure in the second half of 2026. His first competitive match as France coach is scheduled for September 2026, when France travel to play Turkiye in the UEFA Nations League. Zidane has signed a four-year contract with the French Football Federation, meaning he will be in charge of Les Bleus at least through the 2030 World Cup qualifying campaign. This appointment ends years of speculation about when and whether Zidane would finally take the France job, a role he had publicly called “a dream” in interviews prior to his appointment.

Did Zidane ever coach France before?

No, Zinedine Zidane has never previously been a head coach of the France national team. His new role marks his first-ever experience as a coach at international level. As a player, however, Zidane represented France with enormous distinction, earning over 100 international caps, lifting the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2000 trophy, and playing in the 2006 World Cup final. His entire senior management career before this appointment was spent at club level, specifically at Real Madrid, where he coached from January 2016 to May 2018 and again from March 2019 to May 2021, winning three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles across those two spells.

Who replaced Deschamps as France coach?

Zinedine Zidane has replaced Didier Deschamps as the head coach of the France national football team. Deschamps stepped down from the role following France’s disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 14-year tenure during which he guided France to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League, and two major tournament finals. Deschamps managed France in 185 official matches and recorded 120 victories, making him one of the most successful coaches in the history of the French national team. Zidane, a former teammate of Deschamps during France’s glorious 1998 World Cup winning campaign, now takes up the challenge of building on that legacy.