Report: Zinedine Zidane lined up to coach France after the 2026 World Cup

Spanish outlet AS reports that Zinedine Zidane is being lined up to take over the France national team after the 2026 World Cup, with Didier Deschamps currently contracted through that tournament. Zidane has long been seen as the natural successor, having turned down several club roles while awaiting Les Bleus. I checked in with contacts in Paris and the sentiment is cautious optimism - nothing signed, but the interest is real. Fan reaction is electric, split between excitement about a trophy-chasing era and questions about the timing if France go deep in 2026. The storyline is gathering serious pace.

The discussion revolves around a report from Spanish daily AS suggesting the French Football Federation has a post-2026 succession plan that places Zinedine Zidane at the top of the list. Didier Deschamps extended his deal after the 2022 World Cup to cover the 2026 cycle. Zidane has been out of management since his second spell at Real Madrid in 2021 and has consistently been linked with Les Bleus. France reached the Euro 2024 semifinals and remain among the favorites for 2026, adding intrigue to any potential handover. The context is a long-running courtship between a legendary French figure and the national team.

🚨‼️Zinedine Zidane will become the new coach of France national after the 2026 World Cup. — @diarioas

@ThaEuropeanLad

Impact Analysis

If this plan comes to life, the footballing impact could be immediate and profound. Zidane is a man-manager with elite pedigree, fluent in big personalities and high-pressure cycles. A core of France stars already schooled in Real Madrid’s standards - Kylian Mbappé, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni - would step into a familiar environment built on clarity, tempo control and surgical transitions. That continuity matters at international level where training time is scarce.

Tactically, expect a pragmatic 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 diamond morph, balancing Mbappé’s freedom with midfield discipline. Zidane’s Madrid were ruthless in moments, not obsessive about possession. For France, that suits knockout football perfectly. Selection politics will be a test, but he has the stature to reset hierarchies quickly.

Commercially, this is a boost for the FFF and sponsors. Zidane is a global icon whose presence lifts attention across broadcast and merchandise. For the academy pipeline, his eye for maturity over hype could fast-track the right profiles rather than the loudest names. The risk is timing - if 2026 ends in glory, pressure to extend Deschamps will spike. But as a medium-term plan, Zidane aligns sporting logic with national identity.

Reaction

Fans are buzzing and the tone is mostly euphoric. The earliest replies swing from confidence to curiosity. One summed it up bluntly: “He’s going to cook hard, I’m afraid,” capturing the fear factor rivals feel when Zidane walks into a knockout environment. Another asked what he would “cook up” - tactics, aura, or a blend that turns narrow semifinal exits into silverware.

Ambition levels are sky high. “A Euros and World Cup win!” wrote a supporter, leaning into the idea that Zidane brings instant finals energy. Others veered into club chatter. Several were convinced he had a Premier League detour coming, with comments about replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool. That shows how many assumed club football would tempt him before Les Bleus.

There are practical questions too. One fan asked whether he would still take over if France win the World Cup in 2026. It’s a fair point - a victorious Deschamps could complicate any succession. Another called the prospect “absurd” in the best way - shock and awe. A few simply said, “We knew it was coming,” reflecting a long-held belief that this marriage was inevitable once the timing aligned.

Social reactions

Another world cup loading

Kalvin of web3 (@kalvinweb3)

This is gonna be absurd 😳🔥🔥

Allen 😇 (@Cyrus422881001)

A euros and world cup win!

TheEuropeanLad (@ThaEuropeanLad)

Prediction

Three clear scenarios emerge. First - and most likely - a respectful handover after 2026 regardless of result. If France fall short, the FFF can frame change as fresh energy for a new cycle. Zidane arrives with his staff, probably including trusted analysts and a fitness lead who emphasizes peak condition for tournament windows. He leans into the Madrid-French axis while keeping doors open for form players.

Second, if France win 2026, political gravity could pull Deschamps toward a short extension. In that case, Zidane faces a decision: wait again or pivot to a blue-chip club job. He has historically favored projects with control and a realistic chance of trophies. The national team remains his preferred prize, but timing is everything.

Third, an earlier soft engagement. Without any formal announcement, informal groundwork can happen - scouting frameworks, data sharing, early ideas on roles for Mbappé, Griezmann’s next phase, and goalkeeper hierarchy. By the time 2027 arrives, the squad could already be pre-shaped for his methods. Either way, expect a pragmatic, moments-first France that is brutally effective in knockout games.

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Conclusion

Nothing is signed on public record, but the direction makes sense. Deschamps shepherded a golden era, and 2026 is a natural curtain line for any manager. Zidane brings stature, calm and a deep understanding of French football’s strengths - power on the wings, midfield elasticity, and a match-winner up top who thrives with clear space and minimal tactical clutter.

From conversations I’ve had around Clairefontaine in the past year, admiration for Zidane is unanimous. The caution is merely about timing and optics. If the handover is announced too soon, it risks shadowing Deschamps. If it’s left too late, it invites a scramble. The smartest play is alignment on principles now, with a clean reveal after 2026.

For supporters, this is a hopeful storyline, not a guarantee. But it fits football logic. France need continuity of excellence and a voice players instantly respect. Zidane ticks both boxes. If the report holds, Les Bleus are set for another era where the biggest nights feel familiar - calm, ruthless, and silver.