Zidane Takes the Helm: France's New Coach Ignites Speculation

Zinedine Zidane has been named as the new head coach of France's national football team, replacing Didier Deschamps who is stepping down after a successful 14-year tenure. The formal contract signing with the French Football Federation (FFF) is expected to be completed before July 21, with an official announcement likely following between July 23 and July 24.

Zidane reached a verbal agreement with the FFF as early as March 2026, contingent on the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This timeline allowed Deschamps to see out his final tournament before handing over the reins to Zidane.

The new head coach will begin his tenure in September 2026, leading France into Nations League matches against Italy, Belgium, and Turkey. With a stellar career as both a player and coach, Zidane won three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid between 2016 and 2018, as well as the World Cup, European Championship, and Ballon d'Or.

The absence of any crypto-related developments or partnerships linked to Zidane's appointment is notable. In recent years, major football federations and clubs have experimented with fan tokens through platforms like Socios and Chiliz, but the FFF has chosen not to follow suit in this instance.