Zinedine Zidane has reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation (FFF) to take over the men's national team's coaching role. The French legend is reportedly set to replace Didier Deschamps after the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Zidane is regarded as one of the best footballers in the world, with 31 goals in 108 appearances for the French national team. He famously led France to the 1998 FIFA World Cup title, scoring two goals against Brazil. He clinched the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and the Ballon d'Or in 1998.
At the club level, he made over 150 appearances each at Juventus and Real Madrid. He later coached the Spanish giants in 2016-2018 and 2019-2021. Since leaving his managerial duties at the Los Blancos, Zinedine Zidane has been linked with several high-profile jobs.
Meanwhile, Didier Deschamps, who represented France in 104 international matches as a player, has been coaching the national team since 2012. Under his guidance, Les Blues claimed the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and finished as runners-up in 2022. He is all set to lead the team once again in the upcoming 2026 edition in the USA, Mexico, and Canada and then vacate his hot seat for Zinedine Zidane.
According to a report from ESPN, the FFF president Philippe Diallo has identified Zinedine Zidane to take the head coach role, and the latter has verbally agreed.
Kylian Mbappe reacts to Zinedine Zidane's return
The FFF is expected to make Zinedine Zidane's appointment as France's head coach after the FIFA World Cup. However, with various reports leaking the news online, the star French forward Kylian Mbappe has refused to confirm the news.
When asked about his knowledge on the subject, Real Madrid star revealed that he doesn't know about Zidane's return and said that the FFF will decide the new manager soon.
“The president and the federation are dictating the tempo. They will decide when they announce the new manager. We’ll see who it is. I don’t know who it is,” Mbappe said.
Meanwhile, France is set to face Brazil and Colombia in two international friendly matches in the United States on March 27 and March 29. This will give Didier Deschamps a chance to know the playing conditions in the USA ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will begin on June 11.
Kylian Mbappe is included in the squad despite just returning from his injury. He will eye Olivier Giroud's record for most international goals for the French national team. The former Arsenal striker holds the record with 57 goals, two more than Mbappe.
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