BREAKING: Coach Zidane agrees to lead the French national team

Coach Zinedine Zidane is reported to have reached an agreement to take charge of the French national team, replacing his predecessor Didier Deschamps after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.

Recently, Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation (FFF), confirmed to Le Figaro that he has finalized the decision on who will succeed Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup.

Previously, Diallo stated that he would not announce the successor before Les Bleus conclude their journey at the 2026 World Cup. However, he now admits that they have secured the next head coach. He said: “Yes, I know who will be the next coach of the French national team.”

A few hours later, the newspaper Le Parisien issued a notable announcement, reporting that Zinedine Zidane has reached a verbal agreement with the FFF to become the next head coach of the French national team..

Since parting ways with Real Madrid after the 2020/21 season, Zinedine Zidane has not returned to a coaching role. Nevertheless, the 1998 World Cup-winning legend is highly likely to become the next captain of Les Bleus, as he is considered the top candidate and has long desired this position.

Notably, Zidane has not concealed his desire to coach the French national team. He once admitted: "Currently, the team has a coach, a collective, and I always hold absolute respect, for football and all involved. I have paused my coaching work for a while, but I still feel I am a coach. And if the right moment arrives, it would certainly be a great honor."

The last time Zidane worked was in May 2021, when he left Real Madrid for the second time. Previously, during his first tenure from 2016 to 2018, he helped the Royal club dominate Europe with three consecutive Champions League titles, alongside one La Liga title. After departing in 2018, Zidane returned to Bernabeu less than a year later and secured another domestic championship. However, the trophy-less 2020/21 season concluded his second stint there.

Since that point, Zidane has not accepted any coaching offers. However, with recent signals, the likelihood of him succeeding Deschamps is increasingly clear, promising a pivotal turning point in his coaching career and opening a new, eagerly awaited chapter for the French national team after 2026.