Zinédine Zidane begins his tenure as manager of the French national team on Friday, September 25, 2026, facing Turkey in Izmit for a UEFA Nations League fixture. Zidane steps into the role with immediate roster decisions to finalize, headlined by questions over whether Kylian Mbappé will operate on the left wing and Ousmane Dembélé will feature.
Zidane Takes Charge in Izmit
Friday’s fixture at Izmit marks the debut of the new France manager, who inherits a squad looking to establish momentum in the UEFA Nations League. Roster combinations remain the central talking point ahead of kickoff, particularly regarding how Zidane deploys his attacking options. Observers and analysts are watching closely to see if Mbappé takes up his position on the left flank while Dembélé features in the opening tactical scheme.
African Qualification and the Post-World Cup Hierarchy
While the European competition takes center stage in Turkey, African football enters a phase as teams return to competitive action for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The 2026 FIFA World Cup raised questions about whether the established hierarchy among African heavyweights has shifted.
Patrick Vieira’s Senegal side enters the qualification campaign, opening their schedule against Mozambique. Senegal must play their early fixtures without Sadio Mané, who is sidelined with an injury. Alongside Senegal, Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt resume their competitive schedules, eager to validate their standing following their World Cup campaigns.
Infrastructure Pressures for AFCON 2027
Behind the on-field battles, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) continues to maintain pressure regarding preparations for AFCON 2027. Kenya, Tanzania, and Ouganda are jointly hosting the tournament, marking the first time the competition will be organized across three nations. With only nine months remaining until kickoff, the host countries face an accelerated timeline to complete stadium upgrades and infrastructure projects, leaving organizers balancing an ambitious vision against logistical demands.
Discussion around these developments involves Yoro Mangara, Patrick Juillard, and Philippe Doucet, with reporting led from the ground in Turkey by Cédric de Oliveira.
Worth a look
