Zinedine Zidane played for the French national team from 1994 to 2006, earning 108 caps and scoring 31 goals [File: Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images via Getty Images]By ReutersPublished On 24 Mar 202624 Mar 2026French football icon Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over his national team’s head coaching duties following this summer’s FIFA World Cup, ESPN reported on Monday.
Zidane, 53, reportedly reached a verbal agreement with the Federation Francaise de Football to replace Didier Deschamps, who has held the role since 2012.
Zidane, who managed La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid for two stints (2016-18, 2019-21), has long been expected to eventually become the skipper for France.
As a player, the dynamic midfielder won the 1998 Ballon d’Or and was a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year (1998, 2000 and 2003).
He helped France win the World Cup in 1998 and finish second in 2006. He was infamously sent off during the final of the latter World Cup when he head-butted Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the chest.
