France’s new era begins on Friday, Sept. 25, when Zinedine Zidane takes charge of Les Bleus for the first time in a UEFA Nations League away match against Turkey at Kocaeli Stadium in İzmit.
The appointment comes after Zidane succeeded Didier Deschamps, who led France for 14 years and won the World Cup in 2018. France arrive with some unfinished business of their own after a disappointing World Cup semifinal loss to Spain this summer, and this match offers an immediate test of how the team looks under a new coach.
Why this match matters
For France, this is more than a routine group-stage fixture. It is the first chance to see Zidane in the dugout as head coach, with expectations naturally high because of his standing in French football and the job Deschamps did before him. The challenge is immediate: a competitive away game, a new voice, and little time to settle in.
Turkey also come into the match looking to reset after falling short of expectations at the World Cup and crashing out early in the group stage. That adds another layer to a matchup that already carries weight because both teams are trying to move forward after disappointing summers.
When and where to watch
Turkey host France on Friday, Sept. 25, at 9:45 p.m. TRT. That translates to 7:45 p.m. BST in the UK, 2:45 p.m. ET in the US and Canada, 11:45 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 4:45 a.m. AEST on Saturday in Australia.
Viewing options include Fubo in the US, Prime Video in the UK, Vix, ExpressVPN and TRT. Fubo is $89 per month and includes a 5-day free trial, while the other listed services include plans at $7 per month and $11 per month.
However fans follow it, the headline is the same: Zidane’s first match as Les Bleus head coach arrives in a tough France Vs Turkey test, and it begins a new chapter for France right away.
