Zinedine Zidane is close to returning to coaching, and this time with the role he has waited for over the years as the head coach of the French national team.

According to Spanish outlet AS, Zidane has reached a full agreement with the French Football Federation to take charge of France after the 2026 World Cup. The move would mark his first job since leaving Real Madrid in 2021.

Zidane has had his intentions for a long time. He wanted the France job and chose to wait rather than rush into another project. During that period, several clubs tried to bring him back to the bench, but he refused every offer.

Didier Deschamps will remain in charge until the end of the 2026 World Cup. He already confirmed that the tournament will mark the end of his time with the national team.

That timeline opened the door for Zidane, who has built his entire post-Madrid strategy around this moment.