Zinedine Zidane to Begin Coaching France National Team on September 1, 2026

French media reported on Saturday that a confidential document from the French Football Federation was leaked, disclosing secret details about the future plans for the French national team, including the official date when Zinedine Zidane will assume his role as head coach.

Within French football circles, the announcement of Zinedine Zidane, aged 54, as the new manager of Les Bleus is imminent. He will succeed Didier Deschamps, who has been in charge since 2012.

Deschamps, who led France to World Cup victories both as a player in 1998 and as a coach in 2018, is set to manage his farewell match on Saturday. This will occur during the third-place playoff of the 2026 World Cup against England.

The French legend Zidane is widely regarded as a "magician," with a reputation for turning everything he touches into gold.

It is now publicly known in France that Zidane will be the next head coach of the senior national team. However, the leaked official document revealed specific upcoming dates for Zidane, including the first day he will occupy the head coach's office at the French Football Federation headquarters.

According to the French newspaper Ouest-France, the former Real Madrid coach will officially begin his duties as France's manager on September 1, 2026, as indicated in an email from the federation.

The newspaper stated, "After the 2026 World Cup and following a two-month international break, the new coach and his staff will officially start their work with the French national team on September 1, when Zidane and his assistants will hold their first meeting."

The first official match for Zidane and his coaching team is scheduled for the last week of September, specifically during the 2026–2027 UEFA Nations League.

France will play its initial four matches in Group 1 of the Nations League between September 25 and October 12, 2026. The fixtures include games against Turkey and Italy, along with two matches against Belgium.