Kylian Mbappé named France captain under new coach Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane’s tenure as France’s head coach is officially underway, and his first major decision was confirming that Kylian Mbappé will remain captain of Les Bleus. Zidane made the confirmation during his first squad announcement on September 18, 2026, delivering the news with characteristic brevity: “Kylian sera mon capitaine.”

From Deschamps to Zidane, the armband stays put

Mbappé first inherited the captaincy in March 2023 after Hugo Lloris retired from international duty. At the 2026 World Cup, Mbappé scored 10 goals, pushing his international tally to 22 and making him France’s all-time leading scorer.

Zidane took over the job on July 28, 2026, signing a four-year contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup. He succeeded Deschamps, who had been in charge since 2012, a stretch that included a World Cup triumph in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2022.

Zidane’s squad: evolution, not upheaval

The new coach retained 13 players from France’s 2026 World Cup squad in his first selection. The upcoming Nations League fixtures against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy will serve as the first real test of Zidane’s approach.

Zidane also forcefully defended Mbappé’s playing style against persistent criticism about his willingness to track back and contribute defensively. Zidane called that debate “absurd,” stating that Mbappé would defend like all other players on the pitch.

“Kylian sera mon capitaine.”

France’s 2026 World Cup campaign ended at the semi-final stage, with a fourth-place finish. Zidane is inheriting a squad that reached the knockout stages, led by a striker who topped the tournament’s scoring charts, and is choosing stability over upheaval as he prepares for the 2030 World Cup.

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