What happened: Ousmane Dembélé has publicly endorsed Zinedine Zidane to eventually take over as the head coach of the France national team. Speaking to Marca, the Ligue 1 Player of the Season hailed Zidane as an authentic icon and a "born winner" who could translate his historic club success to the international stage.

Why it matters: The endorsement comes as Didier Deschamps is expected to conclude his 14-year tenure following the 2026 World Cup. Dembélé's public support reinforces reports of a verbal agreement between Zidane and the FFF for a September 2026 takeover, signaling a smooth transition for the national side.

What to watch: France enters the 2026 World Cup with the future of the managerial position serving as a major storyline for the tournament.