Zidane's First France Squad: The New Les Bleus Era & the Jerseys to Wear
Zizou takes the France job and names his first squad on 18 September. We break down who's in, who's out, and the 2026/27 France kits to pull on for the new era.
The last time a World Cup ended with France walking off early, the reaction was not panic — it was inevitability. Didier Deschamps, the man who delivered 2018, stepped aside after the 2026 semi-final exit to Spain. And the man who walked in? Zinedine Zidane. Not a club. Not a project. The French national team — the only job he ever wanted. On 28 July 2026, FFF president Philippe Diallo confirmed it: a four-year deal, through the 2030 World Cup. For the first time in his coaching life, Zizou is a national-team boss. And on 18 September, he names his first squad. That list is a statement of intent, not a revolution. But it already carries fingerprints — the Ligue 1 snipers he is watching, the veterans he will lean on, the omissions that whisper at a changing of the guard. Underneath all of it: a fresh reason to pull on the blue, white and red.
The 2026/27 France Kits — Blue, White, Red, Reborn
The 2026/27 France home shirt is the classic deep blue, the away a cleaner white-and-dark alternative — the canvases for a new cycle. With Zidane's first match against Turkey on 25 September in the UEFA Nations League, these shirts are about to mean something again. The Mbappé No.10 on the back of a home shirt is the most-loaded jersey in French football; the blank away is the one fans personalise for the new era. Either way, a Zidane France side makes the kit feel like an event, not a formality.
Who's In, Who's Out
The spine is familiar. Kylian Mbappé wears the armband and the No.10 — the one constant across the Deschamps-to-Zidane handover. Around him, Michael Olise is the creator-in-chief, Marcus Thuram the focal point, Ousmane Dembélé the chaos merchant, Jules Koundé and Théo Hernández the full-back engine, N'Golo Kanté the metronome. The oldest heads are Lucas Digne and Adrien Rabiot — the bridge between eras. The surprises are where Zidane's eye shows. Esteban Lepaul — the Rennes striker who finished last Ligue 1 season with 21 goals — earned a first preliminary call-up, alongside Paris FC's Pablo Pagis, Lens defender Ismaïlo Ganiou and Inter's Andy Diouf. Zidane is rewarding domestic form, not just reputation. And then the elephant: Eduardo Camavinga. Left out of Deschamps' 2026 World Cup squad, the Real Madrid midfielder is exactly the elegant, ball-carrying No.6 that a Zidane midfield is built around. Under Zizou, a redemption story writes itself — watch this space. Hugo Ekitike and Christopher Nkunku, also omitted by Deschamps, are the other names knocking on the door.
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The Stage at Saint-Denis
The Stade de France under floodlights is where the new era begins. Turkey on 25 September, then Belgium and Italy — three tests before Zidane has even settled. The blue shirt has carried legends; now it carries a new ambition.
A Nation in Blue
French supporters do not do quiet. The Tricolore fills the stands, the Marseillaise gets louder, and a new cycle feels like a revival. For the fans, the kit is the cheapest way to be part of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zidane names his first France squad on 18 September 2026 (18:00 French time, 19 September 00:00 Beijing). His first match in charge is against Turkey on 25 September in the UEFA Nations League.
Zinedine Zidane was appointed France head coach on 28 July 2026, replacing Didier Deschamps. He signed a four-year contract running through the 2030 World Cup.
The squad is anchored by Kylian Mbappé (captain, No.10), with Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram, Ousmane Dembélé, Jules Koundé, N'Golo Kanté and the Hernández brothers. Surprise provisional call-ups include Rennes striker Esteban Lepaul, Paris FC's Pablo Pagis, Lens defender Ismaïlo Ganiou and Inter's Andy Diouf.
Eduardo Camavinga was omitted by Deschamps at the 2026 World Cup, but as a Real Madrid midfielder cut from Zidane's own cloth, he is widely tipped to return under the new boss. The final list lands on 18 September.
No. The jerseys we sell are Fan Edition / Replica reproductions inspired by the 2026/27 France match shirts — fan-grade, made to be worn, not framed.