Zinedine Zidane is positioned to succeed Didier Deschamps as head coach of the French national team following the 2026 FIFA World Cup, sources with direct knowledge of the French Football Federation’s planning have confirmed.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano and corroborated by L’Équipe and RMC Sport, the FFF considers the 52-year-old Zidane the undisputed priority candidate. No contract has been signed out of respect for Deschamps, whose current deal expires in July 2026, but internal deliberations have already identified Zidane as the sole figure capable of ensuring continuity at the highest level.

The former Real Madrid legend, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1998 and guided Los Blancos to three consecutive Champions League titles (2016–2018), has rejected multiple club opportunities in recent years, including from Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League sides, explicitly to remain available for the France job.

Deschamps, in charge since 2012 and architect of the 2018 World Cup triumph and 2022 runner-up finish, has given no public indication about his future beyond the tournament in North America. Federation president Philippe Diallo is expected to initiate formal negotiations with Zidane’s representatives in the first quarter of 2026.