Zinedine Zidane, although not named in the FFF statement, is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Didier Deschamps as France head coach.

According to the federation’s statement, FFF president Philippe Diallo will hold a press conference on Tuesday 28 July from 11:00, at the federation’s headquarters. It will follow an extraordinary executive committee meeting held that same morning, after which Diallo will present the next coach to the media.

Zidane’s moment
Zidane, 54, has long been viewed as the leading candidate for the role and has been waiting for an opportunity to take charge of the national team for several years.

He is expected to replace Deschamps, whose tenure began in 2012 – and included a World Cup title in 2018 – and ended on Saturday in the United States, with France finishing fourth at the 2026 World Cup, following a 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place play-off.

Reports in French media had signalled the move well before Thursday’s announcement.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Zidane has agreed to become the next head coach of the French national team on a contract running until June 2030, with the agreement said to have been in place since November, and never in doubt.

French sports daily L’Équipe had separately reported that Zidane will officially take over on 1 September, with Le Parisien adding that he has already begun assembling his coaching staff behind the scenes with his long-time assistant, David Bettoni.

Zidane says adios to Real Madrid

Should the reported contract length be confirmed, Zidane would be expected to lead France through the 2027 UEFA Nations League, Euro 2028 and the 2030 World Cup.

Zidane has not held a coaching role since his second spell at Real Madrid ended in 2021, but has never hidden his ambition to one day manage France.

He is set to follow in the footsteps of former international team-mates Laurent Blanc, who coached the national side from 2010 to 2012, and Deschamps, who led the team from 2012 to 2026.

French football supremo Le Graët quits post three days after disparaging Zidane

The former France playmaker, who won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship as a player, has coached only one club, Real Madrid. During his time with the Spanish giants, he led them to three consecutive Champions League titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018 – an unprecedented achievement in the competition’s modern era – along with two La Liga titles, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups across his two spells in charge.