Zinedine Zidane named France’s next head coach, and crypto’s biggest sports play is still wide open

Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over as head coach of the France national team. The formal contract signing with the French Football Federation is expected before July 21, with a public announcement likely following between July 23 and July 24.

Zidane will replace Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down after 14 years in charge and a World Cup title in 2018.

What we know about the deal

Zidane reached a verbal agreement with the FFF as early as March 2026, according to multiple reports. The timeline was always contingent on the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Deschamps seeing out his final tournament before handing over.

The formal contract is targeted for completion before July 21. An official announcement is expected between July 23 and July 24.

Zidane will begin his tenure in September 2026, leading France into Nations League matches against Italy, Belgium, and Turkey.

The crypto angle no one is talking about

Major football federations and clubs have spent the last few years experimenting with fan tokens through platforms like Socios and Chiliz. Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, Juventus, and dozens of others launched tokens that promised governance-lite features, like voting on minor club decisions such as bus designs and warm-up playlists.

The FFF apparently saw no reason to bundle Zidane’s arrival with any such initiative. Reports indicate that no crypto-related developments, partnerships, or tokens have been linked to this change in leadership.

Why this matters for crypto-sports investors

The Zidane appointment represents a significant coaching transition in football. He won three consecutive Champions League titles as Real Madrid coach between 2016 and 2018. As a player, he won the World Cup, the European Championship, and the Ballon d’Or.

The next window to watch is September, when Zidane takes the touchline for the first time for Nations League matches against Italy, Belgium, and Turkey.

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