Zinedine Zidane nearing coaching return

November 18, 2025 Oliver Obel

According to José Félix Díaz of AS, Zidane is expected to step in as France’s head coach once the 2026 World Cup in North America concludes. French sports outlets have echoed the same trajectory for months, but the latest reports present the shift as largely agreed upon rather than speculative.

For now, Didier Deschamps remains fully in charge and will guide the team into next summer’s European Championship. His most recent contract renewal, signed in January 2023, keeps him tied to the national team until July 2026. AS reports that he and his representatives have also begun weighing future opportunities, including roles in Saudi Arabia, which suggests this cycle may be his last.

Deschamps’ tenure—spanning more than a decade—has defined modern French football. Under him, the team won the 2018 World Cup, reached the 2022 final, and consistently competed at the highest level. A coaching change after such a long and successful era would mark a significant moment for the federation.

Zidane’s road back to the sidelines

Zidane has not managed since leaving Real Madrid in 2021 following a season without silverware. During his time away, he turned down multiple opportunities, including an approach to lead the United States at the 2022 World Cup, according to earlier international reporting.

A move to the national team would bring him back to familiar territory. As a player, Zidane earned 108 caps, scored 31 goals, and played a decisive role in winning the 1998 World Cup on home soil. French media cited by AS say public anticipation around his potential appointment has grown steadily in recent months.

He has also offered his own hints. Speaking to reporters earlier this year, Zidane said he expected to return to coaching “very soon,” a comment that only heightened speculation.

Long-stated ambition

At the Trento Sports Festival, Zidane was even clearer about his long-term intentions.

“I'd like to be the head coach of the France team one day,” he said, later adding, “I will surely return to coaching.”

In the meantime, he has stayed active with charity work and appearances at major sporting events. Over the weekend, he was seen at the Santiago Bernabéu, attending the first NFL game ever held in Spain between the Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders.

Sources: AS, French media reporting