France's national football team is preparing for a change of leadership after Didier Deschamps' 14-year tenure, with Zinedine Zidane set to take over as head coach. Deschamps' final competitive match in charge was France's 0-2 defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup semifinal on 14 July at Dallas Stadium. Spain scored through Mikel Oyarzabal's 22nd-minute penalty and Pedro Porro's 58th-minute goal in front of a reported crowd of 70,176.
The semifinal ended France's run of six consecutive World Cup wins and their title ambitions. France international Aurélien Tchouaméni said the team had been “outclassed” by Spain and reflected after the elimination: “We fell from a great height,” RMC Sport reported. Spain went on to win the tournament, beating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final on 19 July.
Deschamps leaves a record that includes the 2018 World Cup title and the 2021 Nations League victory. France also reached, but lost, the Euro 2016 final and the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar. The team finished the 2026 tournament with a 6-4 defeat to England in the third-place match.
The next step in the reported transition is Zidane's first squad announcement, scheduled for 6 November 2026 at 18:00 at the headquarters of the French Football Federation. France's next fixtures are scheduled against Italy in Milan on 12 November and Türkiye in Bordeaux on 15 November, placing the handover directly ahead of the autumn international window.
Euro 2028 is the next major tournament on France's horizon. Zidane's challenge will be to shape a team capable of turning its individual talent into consistent collective performances. France's semifinal defeat to Spain has sharpened attention on that task, while the autumn fixtures will offer the new coaching cycle its first chance to take shape.
The transition follows France's recent encounters with Spain, including their Euro 2024 campaign, and raises questions about the team's tactical direction. Michael Olise, whose performances at the Paris Olympics drew attention, could offer an attacking option alongside Kylian Mbappé. A creative role behind the forwards would also fit the traditional number 10 profile associated with Zidane's own playing career.
The leadership change comes as European sport sees several high-profile transitions. Novak Djokovic's advance to the Wimbledon semifinals after a dramatic five-set match, covered in our sports section, highlights how established champions are being challenged by new contenders across different sports.
France now moves from Deschamps' long spell in charge toward a new cycle under Zidane, with the November squad announcement and fixtures providing the immediate milestones. The transition will test how the team combines the foundations of the previous era with a renewed approach as it prepares for Euro 2028.
Zidane is among the most decorated figures in modern football as both a player and a coach. His managerial record at Real Madrid, including multiple Champions League titles, has helped make his expected appointment one of the most closely watched changes in international football. For France, the priority will be turning that experience into a cohesive and resilient national team.
