Zidane has made his decision

Zinedine Zidane has already accepted that he will become the next head coach of France once the World Cup concludes, four years after being left frustrated by Didier Deschamps’ surprise renewal following the last tournament in Qatar. According to Le Parisien, there is a verbal agreement in place between the French legend and the French Football Federation, which now only needs to be formalized in writing. The long-anticipated transition appears settled behind the scenes, even if it has yet to be officially confirmed.

On Sunday, federation president Philippe Diallo made striking comments, revealing that he already knows Deschamps’ successor. “I know his name. We need a profile that meets many requirements and also has the support of the French people, because the French national team belongs to them,” he said in an interview with Le Figaro. Though he stopped short of naming Zidane, his remarks have only reinforced what many in France already consider an open secret.

Despite the reluctance to publicly confirm the appointment, there is widespread consensus in France that Zidane – who has waited four years for this opportunity, turning down offers from multiple European clubs – will take charge of the World Cup runners-up. As Diallo indicated, the federation intends to finalize the appointment after the upcoming tournament, marking the end of a 14-year cycle under Deschamps. Zidane’s arrival would close one of the most successful managerial eras in French football and usher in a new chapter built around a national icon.

Still, Diallo’s interview has raised eyebrows. For months, the FFF president had maintained a firm stance of silence regarding the future of the national team’s leadership, even stating he did not want to reveal the next coach’s identity so as not to distract players during the World Cup. This latest intervention has amplified external noise, and Zidane’s looming presence could become a recurring storyline throughout the tournament. What was meant to remain in the background is now threatening to dominate the narrative.

Deschamps, for his part, is unlikely to avoid questions when he faces the media on Wednesday ahead of France’s game against Brazil in Boston. The current coach has long shown he is unfazed by such speculation, just as he handled years of pressure over Karim Benzema’s absence from the national team. Even so, the timing of Diallo’s remarks has been far from ideal, ensuring Zidane will remain a central talking point during France’s stay in the United States. The spotlight is already shifting, whether the team wants it to or not.

Within the federation, there is clear excitement about Zidane’s arrival. Sponsorship deals, particularly with Nike – the national team’s main partner – are expected to receive a significant boost with the addition of one of the most recognizable figures in French and European soccer. Zidane himself has made no recent public comments and is expected to wait until his appointment is confirmed after the World Cup before stepping into one of the most demanding roles of his career. The ‘Zizou’ era is no longer a question of if, but when.

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