Zidane Takes France Role
Former Real Madrid coach and 1998 FIFA World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane was unveiled as the new head coach of the France men’s national football team during a press conference in Paris on Tuesday morning.
During his first appearance in the role, he began by expressing his solidarity with the firefighters battling the wildfires that have affected large parts of the country.
“The first thing I wanted to do was send a message of support to all the firefighters, the farming community, and everyone who is helping those who are in difficulty today. It’s a message of solidarity. My thoughts are very much with them. This is a difficult time. Many families are going through very hard moments, so that is my first thought,” he said.
France Faces Wildfire Crisis
Nearly 220,000 people across 23 communes have been evacuated as a precaution since the fires began. Around 2,500 firefighters and 18 aircraft have been deployed to battle the blazes, supported by 1,500 military personnel and 1,200 police officers and gendarmes.
France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said that 115,000 hectares had burned across the country since the start of 2026.
Zidane also spoke about his excitement at taking charge of the national team, describing the appointment as the “continuation of a dream”. He said becoming France’s head coach was the only job he wanted after leaving Real Madrid.
A Dream Finally Realised
“Over the past four or five years, I received offers to take over at a club, and I turned them all down because of the French national team,” Zidane revealed.
He reflected on his long connection with the national team, from his youth career to becoming a senior player and winning the 1998 World Cup.
“That was the greatest moment of my life—to win it with my teammates from 1998, thanks to Aime Jacquet, his coaching staff, and everyone who helped us lift the World Cup on home soil in France,” Zidane explained.
Zidane Plans Winning Style
Discussing France’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, Zidane described the team’s performance as “magnificent” and praised their playing style.
He said supporters would soon see the tactical approach he plans to introduce, focusing on attacking football while maintaining team balance.
“What drives me is the game itself. I was a number 10, and what motivates me is scoring goals while maintaining the team’s balance. That’s what inspires me—the game,” he said.
Zidane added that he would bring his own style while continuing the work of previous France coaches Didier Deschamps and Laurent Blanc.
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