Zinedine Zidane will make his debut as head coach of France against Turkey on September 25, taking charge of Les Bleus for the first time. The fixture at Kocaeli Stadium in Izmit marks the opening match of the 2026-2027 UEFA Nations League group stage.
Zidane succeeds Didier Deschamps in the managerial position. Deschamps led France for over a decade, captaining the team to World Cup glory in 1998 before guiding them to victory as head coach at the 2018 tournament in Russia. Zidane, who previously managed Spanish club Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, steps into international management for the first time.
The opening fixture in Izmit will kick off at 20:45 local time on Friday, September 25. French free-to-air commercial broadcaster TF1 announced that it will show all six of France's Nations League group matches live on television and through its online streaming platform TF1+.
Nations League group stage fixtures
Following their opening game in Turkey, France will travel to Brussels to play Belgium at King Baudouin Stadium on Monday, September 28 at 20:45. Les Bleus will then return home to Stade de France in Saint-Denis for two consecutive home fixtures, hosting Italy on Friday, October 2 and Belgium on Monday, October 5, both with 20:45 kick-off times.
The group stage will conclude in November with two final fixtures. France will visit Italy in Milan on Thursday, November 12 at 20:45, before playing their final group match against Turkey in Bordeaux on Sunday, November 15 at 20:45.
Broadcast commentary team
TF1 announced that its coverage will feature commentary from Gregoire Margotton and Bixente Lizarazu, the former France defender who won the 1998 World Cup alongside Zidane. Pitchside reporter Saber Desfarges will provide live reporting alongside the squad and the new head coach.
Each fixture will be followed by the post-match analysis show L'Apres-Match, hosted by Thomas Mekhiche, which will broadcast exclusive interviews and reactions from the team.
