Zidane is the first manager of the French national team in more than 30 years to win his debut match

Zinedine Zidane started at the head of the French national team with an away victory over Turkey in the first round of the 2026/27 Nations League group stage. Another goal by Kylian Mbappé brought three points to the French. The captain's effective strike helped Zidane become the first French national team captain to win his debut match since 1994. Let's note that in February 1994, Aimé Jaquet managed to start successfully at the head of the French (away victory over Italy with a score of 1:0 in the control match). After him, the French national team was looked after by Roger Lemaire, Jacques Santini, Raymond Domenech, Laurent Blanc (the only specialist during this period who was defeated in his debut) and Didier Deschamps. Zinedine's contract with the French national team is calculated until the end of the 2030 World Cup. On Monday, September 28, Zidane's wards will visit the Belgians.