Zinedine Zidane takes charge of the France national team for the first time against Turkey on September 25. Succeeding Didier Deschamps after the World Cup, the former Real Madrid manager has named a 23-player squad featuring five uncapped players and a new media arrival policy at Clairefontaine.
France steps onto the pitch under a new manager for the first time in 14 years when they face Turkey in Izmit on September 25. Zinedine Zidane stepped into the dugout following Didier Deschamps’ departure after France’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup, bringing an end to a long period on the sidelines.
I had several offers in the last four or five years, but I turned them all down,
an emotional Zidane said when he was unveiled in Paris. The national team is the only thing I wanted.
Zidane Names First 23-Player Squad and Restructures Camp Media Rules
The 54-year-old manager unveiled his first squad selection in July and subsequently confirmed his 23-player lineup for the Nations League fixtures. Zidane named star forward Kylian Mbappé captain while omitting midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni and striker Marcus Thuram. Five uncapped players entered the national setup: goalkeeper Guillaume Restes, defenders Andy Diouf and Jérémy Jacquet, midfielder Lucas Da Cunha, and striker Esteban Le Paul.
Alongside tactical selections, Zidane moved to alter the environment around the squad’s arrivals at Clairefontaine, seeking to reduce the media scrutiny during check-in moments.
There is no message calling for restraint, what we will change is that once we arrive there, there will be no need to put on such a show.
Zinedine Zidane, France head coach
Zidane added that the staff intends to control the visual coverage more tightly while acknowledging that media presence remains inevitable.
Training Ground Shape and Tactical Outlook for the Nations League
During training sessions ahead of the Turkey fixture, Zidane deployed a 4-3-3 formation as observed during preparations at the national centre. Kylian Mbappé is slated for a role on the left flank, shifting from his utilization under Deschamps, with Ousmane Dembélé operating as the central striker.
The initial tactical lineup tested in training featured Mike Maignan in goal, backed by a defensive line of Adrien Truffert, Ibrahima Konaté, Jérémy Jacquet, and Pierre Kalulu. Adrien Rabiot, Rayan Cherki, and Lucas Da Cunha formed the midfield, while Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué handled the attack.
A second XI evaluated by the coaching staff included Andy Diouf, Dayot Upamecano, Maxence Lacroix, and Jules Koundé in defense, alongside midfielders Manu Koné, Maghnes Akliouche, and Eduardo Camavinga, with Bradley Barcola, Esteban Lepaul, and Michael Olise up front.
Context and Upcoming Fixtures in the Group Stage
Zidane takes over a squad with a strong recent tournament history, having won the 2018 World Cup, finished as runners-up to Argentina in 2022, and reached the semi-finals of this year’s showpiece tournament. The appointment runs through the 2030 World Cup, positioning Zidane to lead Les Bleus toward both the 2028 European Championship and the 2030 global showcase.
Following the fixture against Turkey, France travels to face Belgium before hosting both Italy and Belgium during October matches in the Nations League group stage.
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