• Summary

• France appoint World Cup-winning great Zidane as coach through 2030 World Cup
• Zidane says France job was ‘the only thing I wanted’
• Zidane succeeds Deschamps and becomes third member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team to lead Les Bleus

France great Zinedine Zidane’s long-held ambition to coach the national team ​became reality on Tuesday when the French Football Federation appointed the former captain and World Cup winner as Didier Deschamps’ successor on ‌a four-year contract.

The appointment of former Real Madrid manager Zidane comes two weeks after Deschamps’ tenure as coach ended following France’s fourth-place finish at the World Cup. His final match in charge was a 6-4 defeat by England.

“The French team was the only thing I wanted to do,” Zidane told reporters.

“I’ve always looked at this team through the eyes of a future manager. ​I didn’t take a club job for that reason. The only thing I wanted to do after Madrid was manage the French national team.

“I ​could have taken on a three-year role because Deschamps was there. He made that decision in January 2025, and the ⁠very next day I knew I wanted to be the next one. We met with the president and the deal was sealed.”

The 54-year-old Zidane is ​expected to begin his reign with an away Nations League game against Turkey before France host Italy at the Stade de France on October 2.

Deschamps, who left ​the role after 14 years at the helm, oversaw 185 matches and 120 victories, guiding France to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2020-21 Nations League trophy, and the Euro 2016 and 2022 World Cup finals.

The two share a long association, having been teammates in France’s 1998 World Cup-winning side on home soil.

Zidane played a pivotal role in that triumph and ​won the Ballon d’Or that year.

He made 108 appearances for the national side, scoring 31 goals and contributing 29 assists.

“You’ll see my style soon,” Zidane ​said. “I’m driven by the game. I was a number 10, and what drives me is scoring goals.

“I lived in Spain for 25 years, you know what that means. On ‌the pitch, ⁠I was a leader. Now I’m becoming a leader through my experience.

“Winning in ’98 is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, winning with my teammates. I spent those four or five years waiting for that day. I’m emotional; you can’t see it, but I’m so excited. I’m happy.”

PLAYMAKER TO MANAGER

At club level, Zidane made 212 appearances for Italian side Juventus before joining Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2001. He went on to play 227 matches for Real across ​five seasons, scoring 49 goals and providing ​67 assists, while winning the Champions ⁠League in his first season with the club.

Following his retirement, Zidane returned to Real Madrid as assistant coach in 2013 before taking over as head coach in 2016.

He enjoyed unprecedented success during his first spell in charge, leading ​the club to three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018, a feat that remains unmatched.

Zidane returned ​for a second stint ⁠as Real Madrid manager in 2019 and added another La Liga title to the club’s trophy cabinet before leaving again in 2021.

He follows Laurent Blanc and Deschamps as the third member of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning squad to become national team coach, with the task of leading Les Bleus into the 2030 World Cup.

“Les Bleus’ ⁠campaign was ​magnificent, the football was magnificent. I had a great time, and so did everyone else,” Zidane ​added.

“The fans have no cause for complaint. We’re going to do things differently. Deschamps is Deschamps, Blanc was Blanc, Zizou is Zizou. I’m going to do what I know how to do. I’m ​going to ensure continuity so that the French team keeps winning.”

-Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the law-making body for football,  has acknowledged that Switzerland striker Breel Embolo was wrongly sent off during his side’s FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final defeat to Argentina, admitting that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) protocol was incorrectly applied.

Embolo received a second yellow card midway through the second half of the tense encounter in Kansas City with the score tied at 1-1. Reduced to 10 men, Switzerland eventually succumbed 3-1 after Argentina struck twice in extra time to book a place in the semi-finals.

The controversial dismissal came after Embolo went to ground following a challenge from Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes. Referee João Pinheiro initially cautioned Paredes, but after consulting the VAR, he reversed the decision and booked Embolo for simulation. The caution proved costly as it was Embolo’s second yellow card of the match, resulting in his dismissal.

However, IFAB clarified in a circular issued on Tuesday that the VAR should not have intervened to change the referee’s assessment of the offence.

“A yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed or changed,” IFAB stated.

The law-making body explained that while the mistaken identity provision had been used during the FIFA World Cup to deal with simulation incidents, such an application falls outside the current VAR protocol.

“The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the FIFA World Cup 2026 was well received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol. However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded,” the statement added.

Switzerland coach Murat Yakin had strongly criticised the decision immediately after the match, describing the interpretation of the law as “unacceptable.”

“It destroyed our game today. We have to accept it, but it’s painful to lose that way,” Yakin said after Switzerland’s hopes of reaching a first-ever World Cup semi-final were dashed.

Argentina progressed to the last four before finishing runners-up in the World Cup final to Spain.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Europe’s swift post-World Cup decisions should be a wake-up call for Nigerian football

By Paul Lucky Okoku, Atlanta, US.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup may only just have passed into history, but for some serious football nations, the journey to 2030 has already begun.

Germany and Belgium are wasting no time. Within days of their World Cup campaigns ending, both countries moved swiftly to reshape their national teams, making important coaching decisions with the next major tournaments,  and ultimately the 2030 FIFA World Cup, firmly in view.

Germany have handed the rebuilding job to former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp on a four-year deal taking him through to the 2030 World Cup.

Klopp is due to formally begin work on August 15, with the UEFA Nations League and EURO 2028 providing important stages in a longer rebuilding process towards 2030.

He will be supported by familiar associates Peter Krawietz and Pep Lijnders, alongside former Germany international Sven Bender.

It is not just an appointment of a celebrated coach; it is a declaration that Germany recognises the need to rebuild now rather than wait for another qualification campaign to arrive.

Belgium have taken a similarly decisive step, appointing former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel on a two-year contract through EURO 2028.

Italy, too, are reportedly considering their next direction, with Andrea Pirlo among the names linked with succeeding Luciano Spalletti after Pep Guardiola reportedly declined the opportunity.

Different countries, different circumstances, but one unmistakable message: the planning for tomorrow has already started today.

And that should provide a serious wake-up call for Nigeria. The salient question is: What is Nigeria’s plan for 2030?

The Super Eagles were absent from the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, meaning Nigeria have gone eight years without appearing at football’s biggest tournament by the time qualification for 2030 reaches its decisive stages, it will be a calamity if the count reaches 12 years of absence.

That makes the next cycle too important to be approached with the traditional fire-brigade mentality.

Nigeria should already be asking the difficult questions.

What is the technical roadmap for the Super Eagles between now and 2030? Who is responsible for implementing it? What style of football does Nigeria want its national teams to play?

Where is the pathway connecting the Golden Eaglets, Flying Eagles, Olympic team and Super Eagles?

What structures are being established for scouting Nigerian players at home and across the diaspora? How much investment is going into sports science, data analysis, medical support and player welfare?

And perhaps most importantly, what lessons have actually been learnt from Nigeria’s failure to reach the 2026 World Cup?

These questions cannot wait until the 2030 qualifiers are approaching. Take note, World Cups are built, not improvised.

Germany’s response demonstrates an important principle of international football: World Cup success is rarely manufactured during qualification.

It is built over years.

The coach needs time to identify his core players, introduce younger talent, establish a tactical identity and create competition for places.

The football federation needs an equally clear structure behind him — scouting, analytics, medical support, youth development and a coherent international programme.

Belgium’s decision also reflects that urgency. EURO 2028 is not being treated simply as another tournament. It can become part of the construction process towards 2030.

Nigeria should be thinking along similar lines.

Every Africa Cup of Nations campaign, international window, youth tournament and friendly between now and 2030 should form part of a broader plan rather than exist as an isolated event.

Too often, Nigerian football planning becomes most intense when qualification mathematics start becoming uncomfortable.

Coaches are changed. Committees are established. Players are hurriedly invited. Friendly matches are arranged. Expectations suddenly rise.

Then the country begins calculating permutations.

That cycle has to end.

The lesson from Germany and Belgium is not necessarily that Nigeria must copy their choices or appoint a famous European coach.

The lesson is decisiveness and long-term planning.

Germany know who they want to lead their rebuilding project and how long they are giving him.

Belgium have also taken their decision with EURO 2028 already incorporated into their thinking.

Nigeria similarly needs clarity about where its football should be in 2028, 2029 and ultimately 2030.

Four years may appear a long time. In international football, it is not.

Players who will become central figures in Nigeria’s 2030 World Cup ambitions may currently be playing for the Flying Eagles, academy teams or relatively obscure clubs at home and abroad.

Finding them, developing them and integrating them into a functioning national-team system requires planning that should begin now.

Germany and Belgium have sounded the alarm without intending to. They have finished analysing 2026 and started preparing for the future.

Nigeria should take notice.

The road to the 2030 World Cup did not begin with the qualifiers. It began the moment the 2026 tournament ended.

Germany and Belgium appear to understand that.

The question for Nigerian football is simple: Do we? The road to the 2030 World Cup is already open. Others have started moving. NFF, what are we waiting for?

There is an even bigger issue. What exactly is Nigeria’s football identity?

If a player graduates from the Golden Eaglets to the Flying Eagles, Olympic team and eventually the Super Eagles, is there a recognisable technical philosophy connecting those teams?

Or does every new coach arrive with an entirely different idea?

Successful football nations increasingly build systems rather than merely assemble teams.

Youth development, coaching education, scouting, sports science, analytics and senior national-team football are parts of the same structure.

Paul Okoku is a FIFA Legend | Journalist at Large | Founder & CEO, Greater Tomorrow Children Foundation | CAF Africa Cup of Nations Silver Medalist | Former Nigerian Super Eagles & Flying Eagles International | Former Olympic Qualifying Team Member | Football Analyst

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H