France: Zidane Sets Date for His First UEFA Nations League Squad

Zinédine Zidane will officially begin his tenure as France coach on Friday, 18 September, when he announces his first squad at 6pm. The list will be presented during a press conference at the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris. Zidane was appointed on 28 July after Didier Deschamps left the position, but the announcement will be his first formal selection since taking charge of the national team.

The timing represents a clear change from the routine established by Deschamps. The former coach usually revealed his selections on Thursdays at 2pm. Zidane has chosen Friday evening instead, giving supporters and journalists an extra day to wait for his first decisions. The announcement will take place at the FFF offices at 87 Boulevard de Grenelle, rather than at Clairefontaine, where the players will later gather.

The delay may also allow Zidane to assess the latest club performances before naming his group. The first matchday of the Europa League phase will be played on the previous evening, providing additional information before the new coach makes his choices. The final list of Zidane’s staff is scheduled to be announced separately by press release on Tuesday, 15 September.

Zidane’s first squad will cover the opening four matches of France’s 2026-27 UEFA Nations League group campaign. The schedule has been reshaped to place four internationals inside a short period. France will open away to Turkey on 25 September at 8.45pm in Kocaeli.

The second fixture will come only three days later, against Belgium in Brussels on 28 September, also at 8.45pm. France will then return home to face Italy on 2 October at the Stade de France. The fourth match will be another meeting with Belgium, this time at the Stade de France on 5 October at 8.45pm.

The players selected by Zidane are due to report to the Clairefontaine national football centre in the Yvelines from Monday, 21 September. That leaves four days between the start of the camp and the trip to Turkey. The demanding sequence will give Zidane limited time to introduce his methods before France plays its first competitive match under his leadership.

France enter the campaign ranked third in the FIFA world rankings. The first list will therefore be examined not only for the names included but also for the balance between continuity and change. Zidane may retain the core of the squad assembled during the Deschamps era, or use the opening camp to introduce players who have moved closer to international selection.

Possible new faces include Adrien Truffert at left-back, where Lucas Digne and the Hernandez brothers have been described as losing ground. Esteban Lepaul is another player attracting attention after finishing as Ligue 1’s leading scorer last season. Neither player has been confirmed in the squad, but their situations underline the areas in which Zidane’s first choices could reveal his priorities.

The 18 September announcement will set the direction for Zidane’s first international window and define the group available for four Nations League fixtures. France’s new coach will meet his players at Clairefontaine from 21 September before facing Turkey, Belgium, Italy and Belgium again between 25 September and 5 October.