France to name Deschamps' successor on July 28

The French Football Federation (FFF) is set to unveil Didier Deschamps' successor as the head coach of the national team on July 28. The announcement will be made during a press conference at the FFF headquarters at 11:00 AM local time, following an extraordinary meeting of the federation's Executive Committee.

While the FFF has not officially confirmed the identity of the new coach, major French sports media outlets widely report that Zinedine Zidane is the frontrunner for the position. This appointment would mark the end of an era for Didier Deschamps, who departs after 14 years at the helm of the French squad, a tenure that concluded with France finishing fourth in the 2026 World Cup.

Deschamps' 14-year reign is the longest in the history of the French national team. He led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup and to the final of the 2022 World Cup. Over his 185 matches in charge, France achieved 120 wins, 35 draws, and 30 losses. Deschamps also holds the record for the most wins by a French coach in World Cup history, with 19 victories in 26 matches. He joins an elite group of individuals who have won the World Cup as both a player and a coach.

Zidane, a World Cup winner as a player in 1998 and a former captain of the French national team, has long been considered a potential successor. As a coach, he achieved significant success with Real Madrid, leading them to three consecutive Champions League titles. His potential appointment would bring a celebrated figure back to the national team's dugout.