Zinedine Zidane Takes Over France After World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Exit

France, widely favored to win the 2026 World Cup, was eliminated in the semi-finals by European champions Spain on July 14, 2026. Although France still has a third-place match remaining, it is considered a formality. The most significant change following the tournament is the coaching switch: Zinedine Zidane has agreed to replace Didier Deschamps as head coach. Zidane, a legendary former player who led France to the 1998 World Cup title, will be managing a national team for the first time in his career. This marks his second major coaching role after two separate tenures at Real Madrid, and his first coaching position since 2021.

The current French squad, led by Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise, is predominantly young, with few expected departures before the next European Championship or World Cup. The oldest outfield players are Lucas Digne and Adrien Rabiot, aged 32 and 31 respectively. Despite France’s depth and talent, coach Deschamps left out notable players such as Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike, AC Milan’s Christopher Nkunku, and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, the latter considered a key player who may feature prominently in future selections.

With Zidane’s appointment, France aims to build on its strong foundation and prepare for upcoming international competitions, signaling a new era for the national team after the disappointment in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.