OFFICIAL: Zinedine Zidane is France's new head coach

The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially appointed Zinedine Zidane as the new head coach of the France men's national team, ending years of speculation over who would eventually succeed Didier Deschamps.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, just two weeks after France concluded their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a fourth-place finish.

Deschamps' final match in charge ended in a dramatic 6-4 defeat to England.

Zidane will officially take charge ahead of France's UEFA Nations League fixtures.

His first match as head coach will come against Turkey, before Les Bleus host Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.

The appointment marks Zidane's return to coaching after his highly successful spell with Real Madrid.

Deschamps leaves the France job after an extraordinary 14-year tenure.

During his time in charge, he managed 185 matches, recording 120 victories, while guiding France to several major honours.

His achievements include winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup, ifting the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League title, reaching the Euro 2016 final and finishing as runners-up at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Zidane is no stranger to success with the French national team.

As a player, he formed part of the legendary France squad alongside Deschamps that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup on home soil before lifting the UEFA Euro 2000 title two years later.

His coaching credentials are equally impressive. During his spell at Real Madrid, Zidane guided the Spanish giants to an unprecedented three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, while also winning multiple domestic and international trophies.