Zidane wants to bring the magic back to France for the Equipe Tricolore
Zidane, the former superstar, will take over on July 28, 2026 as the head coach of the French national team. In Clairefontaine, about 50 km south of Paris, he prepares the Equipe Tricolore for the Nations League duel against Turkey. The players listen attentively as the fans harbour hopes for the promised magic.
New Era for the Equipe Tricolore
"We were all fans of him when we were kids," said Dayot Upamecano after the first session under the new famous coach with a beaming face. He emphasises his close bond with the national team and explains that he feels very attached to this squad. The new coach is expected to bring back the magic that fans have been missing for years.
Zidane's Path to Clairefontaine
Zinedine Zidane knows the route to the Institut National du Football de Clairefontaine all too well. The secluded, forest‑surrounded training centre lies about 50 km from Paris and was already his retreat as a player. Now he returns as a man to the sidelines to shape the next generation.
A Star‑Packed Squad with Experience
The current Tricolore boasts several superstars: Kylian Mbappé, 27 years old, Michael Olise, 24 years old, Dayot Upamecano, 27 years old, and Ousmane Dembélé, 29 years old. These players form the core for the upcoming tournaments. Their blend of youth and experience is meant to generate the desired magic on the pitch.
Zidane makes debut against Turkey in Nations League appearance
Zidane already led Real Madrid as a coach to three consecutive Champions League titles and was twice named World Club Coach of the Year. Since his departure in the summer of 2021, he has received numerous offers from clubs, which he has turned down because the Équipe de France is the only goal he wishes to take on.
After the World Cup semi‑final against the eventual champions Spain, France currently sits in third place in the world rankings. The squad now has to re‑orient itself under Zidane's leadership to build on the successes of Didier Deschamps.
The next fixtures are already set: on Friday in Kocaeli against Turkey in the Nations League, on Monday in Brussels against Belgium, and the home debut at the Stade de France on October 2 against Italy. These matches mark the official kickoff for Zidane's tenure.
The fans are full of euphoria and long for spectacular football that recalls the glorious years under Deschamps. Whether Zidane can bring back the promised magic will become clear in the coming weeks.