ZIDANE APPOINYED FRANCE HEAD COACH AFTER 2026 WORLD CUP

Zinedine Zidane has been appointed head coach of the France men’s national football team, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Tuesday.

The 54-year-old takes over from Didier Deschamps, who stepped down following the 2026 FIFA World Cup after leading France for 14 years.

Zidane’s appointment comes after France’s disappointing campaign at the tournament in North America. Widely regarded as one of the favourites, Les Bleus were eliminated by eventual champions Spain in the semi-finals before losing to England in the third-place playoff.

The former France captain returns to coaching for the first time since leaving Real Madrid in 2021, where he enjoyed one of the most successful managerial spells in modern football.

“I have often said there is nothing greater than the French national team. It is therefore a joy and obviously a great honor to become the coach of France. It is also a responsibility,” Zidane said in a statement released by the FFF.

“I want to thank President Philippe Diallo, the Executive Committee and the French Football Federation for their trust and salute the fourteen years of Didier and his staff. I also have a special thought today for all my teachers. Needless to say, I have a lot of ambition for the French team.”

As a player, Zidane is regarded as one of France’s greatest footballers. He inspired the country to its first FIFA World Cup title in 1998, scoring twice in the 3-0 victory over Brazil in the final, before helping France win the UEFA European Championship in 2000.

His international playing career ended in dramatic fashion when he was sent off during the 2006 World Cup final against Italy following his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi.

Zidane now aims to emulate Deschamps by winning the World Cup as both a player and a coach.

Speaking at his unveiling, Zidane said coaching the French national team had always been his ambition.

“It’s a continuation for me, a dream come true. Over the last four or five years, I’ve received offers to lead a club and I rejected them all for the France national team. It’s the only thing I’ve wanted to do,” he said.

Zidane brings an outstanding club coaching record to the role. During two spells in charge of Real Madrid, he guided the Spanish giants to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, two La Liga championships and two FIFA Club World Cup trophies.

His immediate challenge will be preparing France for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, with a squad featuring attacking stars including Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola.

“We’ll be doing things differently. Deschamps is Deschamps, Zidane is Zidane. I will do what I know how to do,” he said. “I guarantee continuity so that the French national team keeps winning.”

- Ariana News

POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE | FRANCE'S DIDIER DESCHAMPS ON 3-0 WIN VS. SWEDEN

 

LIVERPOOL'S EKITIKE RULED OUT OF WORLD CUP WITH FRANCE

Didier Deschamps has confirmed the news after the 23-year-old suffered a serious injury against PSG.

PSG and Liverpool players comfort Hugo Ekitike after his injury in their Champions League clash. Alamy Stock Photo

LIVERPOOL AND FRANCE forward Hugo Ekitike will miss the 2026 World Cup after suffering a serious injury in his club’s Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain, his national team coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday.

The 23-year-old crumpled in a heap holding his lower right leg with a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon during the first half of Liverpool’s 2-0 quarter-final second-leg defeat to European champions PSG on Tuesday.

“Unfortunately, the severity of (Ekitike’s) injury will prevent him from finishing the season with Liverpool and taking part in the World Cup,” Deschamps said in a statement released by the French football federation.

“This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French national team.

“I wanted to express my full support for him, as well as that of the entire coaching staff.”

Ekitike has scored 17 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield for a fee of £79 million ($105.5 million) last summer.

Since winning his first France cap in a World Cup qualifier in September last year, Ekitike has been a regular in Les Bleus’ set-up, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his eight caps.

– AFP 

FRANCE FOOTBALL MAKES MOVE TO SECURE TOP MANAGER AMID REAL MADRID INTEREST

Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

The future of Zinedine Zidane will be one of the key monitorables in 2026. The Frenchman, despite being regarded as one of the sought-after managers in world football, has remained a free agent since leaving Real Madrid for the second time in 2021.

It is widely believed that Zidane had been waiting to take over the reins from Didier Deschamps to become the coach of the French national team – his dream job.

After a wait of five years, Zidane’s dream could turn into a reality, with Deschamps expected to step down after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

France football makes a move

However, Zidane has also been a subject of interest for Real Madrid, who are desperately looking for a new coach after the dismissal of Xabi Alonso.

Although the club have hired Alvaro Arbeloa on an interim basis, it is no secret that president Florentino Perez has identified Zidane as his dream option.

Zidane could soon be headed for the French national team job. (Photo by Pablo Cuadra/Getty Images for EA SPORTS FC™ 25)

Keeping that in mind, France football appears to have made the first move to try and secure the services of Zidane, according to L’Equipe.

The French news outlet quotes Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, who confirmed that finding a successor for Deschamps is the utmost priority.

The report adds that French football has already started the onboarding process of Zidane, notably by discussing his future staff with the French national team.

This will come as a blow to Real Madrid, who were keen on having Zidane lead the new era at Los Blancos.

But after waiting for five years, it is unlikely Zidane will entertain the offer from Real Madrid and looks likely to replace Deschamps after the World Cup.

- Anas Ali

FRANCE 1998 WORLD CUP WINNING TEAM | REUNION

 

FRANCE'S DIDIER DESCHAMPS CONCERNED FOR PLAYERS' MENTAL HEALTH

France manager Didier Deschamps has expressed concern over the growing mental stresses his players face with the congested football calendar and accentuated exposure via social media.

Deschamps has faced regular questions about the mental health of Kylian Mbappé in particular, with the Real Madrid forward having missed the last two international camps amid what the manager described as partly "psychological" worries.

"He is in a complicated situation, yes, but that does not take away from what he has done or mean that he is not able to re-find his previous form, even if he too was less effective in 2024," Deschamps told Telefoot when asked about Mbappé.

"The environment is different because there is exposure today -- the slightest little word, social networks and then the fallout.

"I spoke with some of my players. After a competition like Euro 2024, they have barely three weeks, it is difficult to put the demands back in. They are higher and higher.

"Every time it is: 'You must, you must, you must' and then sometimes you can't respond or you respond less well, and there can be a psychological issue.

France coach Didier Deschamps at training on Friday. FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

"Whether it is going as far as depression I don't know, but it is a psychological state that is fragile. It is the head that commands the legs."

Liverpool's French defender Ibrahima Konaté also spoke to Telefoot about the reports around Mbappé's mental state, offering support should the former Paris Saint-Germain forward need it.

"Beyond being a footballer, he is one of my friends and someone that I have a lot of affection for," he said.

"If Kylian has psychological problems in his life, we'll always be there to help him. But we know the qualities that Kylian has. He is a formidable player and one of the best in the world.

"Every player in their career has had a little blip so I'm not worried about him. I can't wait for him to get back to his best level."

France play Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Sunday in Milan. Both teams have already qualified for the quarterfinals of the tournament.

- ESPN 

COACH NATIONALITIES | FIFA'S TOP 10 NATIONS

 

EURO 2024: FRANCE'S DESCHAMPS DEFENDS MBAPPÉ AMID CRITICISM

Kylian Mbappé and Didier Deschamps embrace after France's quarterfinal win over Portugal. RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images

 France manager Didier Deschamps has come to the defence of his captain and star player Kylian Mbappé amid criticism of the striker's Euro 2024 performances.

Mbappé, 25, has scored just once in the tournament -- a penalty in the final group game against Poland -- with France reaching the semifinals despite not scoring a goal from open play.

Deschamps substituted Real Madrid's latest signing in extra time of their quarterfinal win over Portugal on penalties, with Mbappé saying he asked to be taken off.

Speaking on the French television show Téléfoot on Sunday, Deschamps reminded those criticising Mbappé of what he has already achieved in the sport.

"Don't you think he has already made enough history, with what he has done so far?" the coach said. "He wants to make even more history.

"We did everything we could with him, with the medical staff, to get him to be here. During the preparation, he had a little back problem, too, but Kylian is here."

Deschamps also responded to suggestions that if he is not entirely fit, Mbappé could be benched in order to try to kick-start the team's spluttering attack.

The forward has been forced to play most of the tournament while wearing a mask, having broken his nose in a collision with Kevin Danso in his team's opening group game against Austria.

"Even if he's not 100%, I know very well that for the opponent, knowing he's playing makes them think and forces them to adapt," Deschamps said.

Mbappé, who scored a hat trick in his team's 2022 World Cup final defeat and the fourth goal in their victory in the 2018 World Cup final, also has the support of teammates Randal Kolo Muani and Youssouf Fofana, who spoke at the team's news conference on Sunday.

"Kylian is the player who scored three penalties in a World Cup final," Fofana said. "I don't know many players who have achieved this feat. I only know one.

"Whether it's him or a player like Antoine [Griezmann] who is vice-captain, they have done things that most of the players in the dressing room haven't done. When they talk, we listen."

Kolo Muani added: "He [Mbappé] has this gift of carrying a group. He has so much experience -- I think he was born to pull a group forward."

France play Spain in their semifinal on Tuesday in Munich.

- ESPN 

FRANCE COACH DESCHAMPS INCLUDES KANTÉ, BARCOLA IN EURO SQUAD

N'Golo Kante has been recalled to France's squad for the Euro despite spending the season in the Saudi Pro League. Getty Images

 France coach Didier Deschamps included midfielder N'Golo Kanté in his preliminary list of players for the European Championship on Thursday and gave a first call-up to Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola.

Kanté's return was not expected following the former Chelsea player's departure to the lucrative Saudi league last summer after he struggled with injuries. The 2018 World Cup winner has not played for France since June 2022.

Deschamps said Kanté has rediscovered his form at Al-Ittihad.

"He has had a full season, albeit not in a European league as he plays in Saudi Arabia, where he has regained his full physical fitness," Deschamps said as he announced his squad on French TV channel TF1. And I think that with his experience and his background, I'm convinced that our team will be stronger with him."

In contrast, Barcola's presence in the squad was widely expected following his excellent season with PSG.

After joining from Lyon, the 21-year-old winger with excellent speed and dribbling skills has settled quickly at the star-studded club. He delivered at big games and was the main reason PSG managed to get past Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy, who has not played for France since September 2022, also makes his return.

PSG defender Lucas Hernández, who recently underwent surgery after rupturing his left ACL, was left out.

Deschamps can still amend his squad before a June 7 deadline when teams must give UEFA a list of a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26.

The tournament in Germany starts June 14. Two-time champion France is in Group D with Austria, Netherlands, and Poland.

Before traveling to Germany, the World Cup finalist will play two warmup matches against Luxembourg and Canada.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Theo Hernández (AC Milan), Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool), Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich).

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid), N'Golo Kanté (Al-Ittihad), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus Turin), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid), Warren Zaïre-Emery (PSG).

Forwards: Bradley Barcola (PSG), Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Ousmane Dembélé (PSG), Olivier Giroud (AC Milan), Randal Kolo Muani (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan).

ESPN writer Julien Laurens contributed to this report. Information from The Associated Press was also used.

- ESPN News Services

WORLD CUP WINNERS AS PLAYERS AND MANAGERS

 

MARIO ZAGALLO, WORLD CUP WINNER AS PLAYER AND A MANAGER, DIES AGE 92

Brazilian won as a player in 1958 and 1962 before winning the tournament as a manager in 1970

 

Former Brazilian manager Mario Zagallo. Photograph: Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty

 

Mario Zagallo, a four-time World Cup winner as a player and coach for Brazil, has died, aged 92.

Zagallo won consecutive World Cups in 1958 and 1962 before overseeing his country’s tournament wins in 1970 – as manager – and then as an assistant coach in 1994.

Zagallo, who also took Brazil to the final in 1998 where they were beaten by France, became the first person to win the World Cup as both a player and manager.

Franz Beckenbauer and Didier Deschamps have subsequently achieved the same feats for Germany and France respectively.

A diminutive left-winger, Zagallo played for Flamengo and Botafogo in Brazil and won 33 caps for the national team.

As a manager, he was nicknamed The Professor by his players throughout his coaching career, due to his tactical awareness and commanding presence on the bench.

"A social media message posted to Zagallo’s Instagram account read: “It is with great regret that we announce the passing of our eternal world champion, Mario Jorge Lobo Zagallo.

“A devoted father, loving grandfather, caring father-in-law, faithful friend, victorious professional and a great human being. Giant idol. A patriot who leaves us a legacy of great achievements.”

Brazilian and Manchester United footballer Casemiro tweeted: “A legend of our football left today. Thank you for everything! Rest in peace, Zagallo.”

 

DESCHAMPS EXTENDS CONTRACT AS FRANCE HEAD COACH UNTIL 2026

 

Didier Deschamps has extended his stay with the French Squad head coach until 2026.