Zinedine Zidane on the bench of the France team in 2026, 20 years after his farewell to the French selection as a player? The 98 world champion is tipped to take up the torch of the Blues after the departure of Didier Deschamps. And if this appointment does not materialize, the president of the French Football Federation, Philippe Diallo, should be held accountable according to Bertrand Latour.
“I have been here since 2012, I am scheduled until 2026, the next World Cup, but it will stop there because it has to stop at some point”. Wednesday, Didier Deschamps announced the end of an era… but not before its time. Certainly, the coach of theFrench team has announced its decision not to sign a new contract, but will fulfill its current commitment to the French Football Federation running until summer 2026.
“If Philippe Diallo does not succeed in putting Zidane on the bench of the France team, it will be high time for him to resign”
After the 2026 World Cup in North America, Didier Deschamps will therefore leave the position of coach vacant for the first time in 14 years. Who could inherit it? Zinedine Zidane according to Bertrand Latour and no one else, not even Thierry Henry silver medalist with the French Olympic team at the Paris Olympics 2024. And the position of president of the French Football Federation is at stake for Philippe Diallo.
-“Zidane or Henry? It must be Zinedine Zidane. Since leaving Real Madrid, he has refused all his offers. If Philippe Diallo does not succeed in putting Zidane on the bench of the France team, I think it will be high time for him to resign, I can’t imagine it.
“He doesn’t have a club, he waited for everyone and Deschamps is no longer there”
On the antennas of Canal+the channel’s journalist also expressed the national expectation regarding the appointment of Zinedine Zidane. It couldn’t be otherwise. “ Everyone is waiting for Zidane. If it’s not Zidane in 2026, it will never be him. He doesn’t have a club, he waited for everyone and Deschamps is no longer there. (…) There is no photo. Between the CV of Thierry Henry who has messed up almost everywhere he has been at the club and that of Zidane who has just won 3 Champions Leagues in a row with Real Madrid, there is just no comparison. If Zidane wants it, it will be Zidane.”
