The October nights have left France with a rare feeling of calm around its national side. Zinédine Zidane’s first camp as head coach, followed by three wins from four matches in the Nations League, has lifted public confidence in Les Bleus to a level seldom seen outside a major tournament.
A new survey found that 75% of French people hold a favourable view of the national team, its highest mark beyond an international finals period. The only higher figure came after the 2022 World Cup final, when approval reached 80%.
Zidane has made an immediate impact on that mood. The former France great, who oversaw his first gathering from late September into early October, is viewed positively by 86% of those surveyed. That represents an increase of four percentage points since the previous international window. Among football supporters, his approval rating rises to 93%.
Olise takes centre stage
The response to France’s football under Zidane was equally strong. Among followers of the game, 89% approved of the team’s tactical approach, while 88% gave a positive assessment of its technical level. The quality of play was also praised by 85%.
Michael Olise emerged as the major individual winner of the camp. The Bayern Munich attacker scored four goals and supplied two assists during the gathering, becoming the preferred France international for 20% of the wider public. Only captain Kylian Mbappé, on 30%, ranked higher overall.
Among dedicated football fans, however, Olise moved ahead of the Real Madrid forward. He received 33% of the vote to Mbappé’s 23%, while 41% believe Olise should become France’s technical leader. Mbappé was selected by 33% on that question.
The survey also offered early verdicts on players who made their first impression with the senior side during the window. Lucas Da Cunha was the most positively received debutant, with 79% of football supporters judging his performances satisfactory. Jérémy Jacquet followed closely at 77%.
Estéban Lepaul faced a more mixed response: 57% rated his camp satisfactory, but 41% considered it disappointing. Ousmane Dembélé, one of the squad’s established figures, did not fully convince either. His performances drew favourable opinions from 55%, while 43% were negative.
For Zidane, the first evidence is clear enough: France have responded to a new voice on the touchline, while Olise has given the side a fresh focal point on the pitch.
