Zinedine Zidane has reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation (FFF) to become the next manager of the national team following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The agreement, announced by Romano on Friday, marks a significant step towards ending Zidane’s hiatus from management since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. While no contract has been signed and Romano cautioned that “everything is still possible” until an official agreement is finalized, the verbal accord signals a strong intention from both parties.
The anticipated appointment comes as current France manager Didier Deschamps is set to step down after the 2026 World Cup, a departure he confirmed earlier this year. Philippe Diallo, the FFF president, had previously dismissed suggestions of a foregone conclusion regarding Zidane’s succession, stating in November 2025 that “lots of things can happen and not things that people would maybe expect.” However, preparations within the FFF suggest a growing confidence in securing Zidane’s services.
According to reports from L’Équipe, the FFF has already begun discreetly discussing Zidane’s prospective staff, including potential changes to the existing support team. Discussions have centered on the possibility of bringing David Bettoni, who previously served as Zidane’s assistant at Real Madrid, back into the fold. The FFF is also reportedly considering establishing a dedicated data unit within the coaching setup, reflecting Zidane’s desire for a more comprehensive analytical approach.
Zidane’s first match as France’s head coach, should the agreement be formalized, is currently scheduled for September 25, 2026, with an away fixture against Turkey to begin the UEFA Nations League campaign. This will be followed by a match in Belgium on September 28, and a home game against Italy on October 2, a symbolically significant fixture given that Zidane’s playing career concluded with Italy in the 2006 World Cup final.
Despite Diallo’s earlier comments about avoiding “false suspense,” the FFF president indicated in November that an announcement regarding Deschamps’ successor could potentially come before the World Cup, a departure from previous expectations. The FFF has not yet commented on Romano’s report or provided a timeline for a formal announcement.
