Zinedine Zidane named as France’s next coach: French FA confirms secret agreement

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 Mar 2026 10:43 GMT
• 3 min read

News

Zinedine Zidane will take over as France national team head coach following the 2026 World Cup, with the deal “as good as done”.

Didier Deschamps will stand down from his post with Les Bleus after the competition in North America, having been in charge of the national team since 2012, notably leading his country to the 2018 World Cup crown.

Zidane will take over from his former international team-mate, having already struck a verbal agreement with the French FA (FFF), according to Le Parisien.

French FA president makes next manager admission

FFF president Philippe Diallo has confirmed that an agreement is already in place for the post.

Asked by Le Figaro if he knows the identity of Deschamps’ replacement, he said: “Yes, I know his name.

“We need a profile that ticks many boxes and that can also garner the support of the French people, since this French national football team is the team of the French.”

Diallo also confirmed that he had received five applications for the post, all of which came from Frenchmen.

Asked directly about Zidane, he said simply: “Join us after the World Cup.”

Zidane has a verbal agreement to become France boss

Le Parisien, meanwhile, is certain that the role will go to Zidane, who has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021.

The agreement in place between the hero of the 1998 World Cup final and France is all but completed, with just a few formalities to be completed.

“The talks with Zidane have been conclusive,” the paper has announced. “According to our sources, there is a verbal agreement regarding future collaboration. This agreement has been in place for several weeks.”

While no official announcement is imminent, with that expected to come following the World Cup, Zidane appears destined to take the France job he has long considered a dream appointment.