France were among the favorites to win this summer's World Cup, but were eliminated by Spain 2-0 in the semifinals, and then beaten 6-4 by England in the third-place playoff.
The World Cup-winning former France midfielder succeeds Didier Deschamps, who stepped down this month after 14 years in charge.
The 54-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with the FFF taking him through to the end of the 2030 World Cup. He will officially take up the role next month with his first assignment being France's Nations League campaign in the autumn, when they face games against Turkey, Belgium and Italy. Didier Deschamps, France's longest-serving manager, ended his 14-year stint in charge after the nation's semi-final exit to Spain at the 2026 World Cup.
On being appointed, he said it was "a great source of pride" to lead the French national side following their fourth-place finish at the World Cup. "I've often said it: there's nothing greater than the French national team. So it's a joy and obviously a great source of pride to become the manager of this French national team," he added. "It's also a responsibility. I want to thank [French Football Federation] president Philippe Diallo, the executive committee, and the French Football Federation for their confidence and acknowledge the 14 years of service from Didier and his staff. "I also have a special thought today for all my coaches. Needless to say, I have high ambitions for the French national team."
“I had several offers from clubs in the last four to five years, but I turned them all down for France,” the former midfielder and Real Madrid insisted. “The national team is the only thing I wanted. I’ve been with the French teams since I was a kid, all the way up to the senior team. I’m a bit emotional. You might not be able to tell, but I am incredibly excited.” "For me it's a continuity, a dream," Zidane said. "I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club but I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do."
"When he said that, I knew he had the desire and the confidence to take charge of the team."