France prepares new coach Zidane as Lloris confirms retirement from national team

Speculation is growing that former Real Madrid star Zinedine Zidane will succeed Didier Deschamps as head coach of the French national team after the 2026 World Cup. Reports say Zidane is already planning his technical staff, with former assistants David Bettoni and Hamidou Msaidie likely to join him and other French football figures such as Alain Boghossian and Bernard Diomède mentioned as possible options. Upcoming fixtures for Les Bleus in September and October 2024 have been outlined, including matches against Turkey, Belgium and Italy.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, now 39, has dismissed rumours that he might return to the squad. He confirmed that his international career ended with the 2022 World Cup final and will not be reconsidered. The current goalkeeper trio for the upcoming tournament will be Mike Maignan, Brice Samba and newcomer Robin Risser, whom Lloris praised for his talent. He added that he might appear briefly if France plays in the United States during the World Cup.