France begins the "Zidane era" from Turkey
France, the fourth-place finisher at the 2026 World Cup, begins a new era under the leadership of former star Zinedine Zidane when they face hosts Turkey in Kocaeli on Friday. The match is part of Group 1 in the opening round of the top tier of the fifth edition of the UEFA Nations League. Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini returns to manage Italy in his second stint, hosting Belgium, who are coached by new Dutch manager Marc van Bommel, in the same group.
In the first match, the encounter carries special historical significance as it marks the official debut of legend Zidane as manager of the "Les Bleus." He takes over the reins from Didier Deschamps, his teammate in the 1998 World Cup and 2000 UEFA European Championship triumphs. Deschamps led the national team for 14 years, during which time he won the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League, along with silver medals at Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup, and a bronze medal in the 2025 UEFA Nations League.
On the eve of the match, French defender Ibrahima Konaté suffered a minor right knee sprain and was ruled out of the game. Leny Yoro will replace him, making his debut for the senior national team, alongside five other new players.
In the second match, Italy kicks off its second campaign with Mancini at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome against Belgium.
Mancini returned to manage the "Azzurri" three years after his departure, which followed a tenure that included winning Euro 2020 and failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Mancini was appointed in late July to take on the rescue mission after the team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, marking their third consecutive absence from the global finals. Following their elimination in the playoffs, Gennaro Gattuso resigned from his position as national team manager.
In a pre-match press conference, Mancini said: "We must restore the national team to the status it deserves," adding: "I am here to win, and I am confident that we will have some great moments."
In contrast, Belgium has parted ways with French manager Rudi Garcia, who guided them to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, and signed Van Bommel.
The first round continues on Saturday with an early clash between England and world champions Spain at Wembley Stadium in London in Group 3. The group also features a match between the Czech Republic and Croatia.
The visit of "La Roja" serves as a painful reminder of a potential fiery encounter for the "Three Lions." However, German manager Thomas Tuchel needs a positive response to silence the criticism that followed the end of their 2026 World Cup campaign.
Had England held on during the final five minutes and stoppage time against Argentina two months ago, they would have faced Spain in the final. But Tuchel’s side conceded two goals after he attempted to shore up the defense with a series of defensive substitutions.
Tuchel said: "There is little point in torturing ourselves by looking back." However, he admitted feeling a sense of "incompleteness" after failing to add a second star to England’s shirt.
For his part, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente will not allow his players to relax or rest on their laurels after winning the World Cup this summer against Argentina.
Despite dominating Europe in 2024 and winning the World Cup this summer, the Spanish are looking to continue their development and progress.
After signing a new contract earlier this week that ties him to the national team until 2032, the 65-year-old coach said: “This team never stops. The World Cup is not enough; we must become better. What we have achieved is not enough to win the next match.”
