At Clairefontaine, where generations of French internationals have arrived beneath the gaze of cameras at the gates, Zinedine Zidane is preparing a quieter beginning. Before taking charge of his first match, France’s new coach has reshaped the team’s media arrangements, drawing a clearer boundary around the squad while opening one route of access that did not exist during Didier Deschamps’ long spell in charge.
Zidane will name his first France squad on Friday, ending a 14-year run in which Deschamps was responsible for every selection. The announcement itself will signal the change: television cameras will not be permitted inside the room. The French Football Federation will instead create and broadcast the footage through its own official platforms.
The same approach will apply when the chosen players report to the national training centre outside Paris. Under Deschamps, media outlets could film internationals as they entered Clairefontaine for camp. Those arrivals will now be handled by the federation, which will supply the images of the players assembling for duty.
A more controlled camp, with a mixed-zone opening
There is, however, one notable concession for reporters. Zidane will introduce mixed zones during the gathering, allowing journalists to speak with France players while the squad is together. That opportunity was not part of the previous regime.
The former Real Madrid coach will not give one-to-one interviews during this first international period. It fits the more private public manner he maintained throughout his playing and coaching career, but it will not mean complete silence. Eight press conferences are scheduled for Zidane between Friday’s squad reveal and the Belgium match on 5 October.
France face a four-match Nations League programme in Zidane’s opening window. The first assignment takes them to Turkey on 25 September, followed by another away trip to Belgium. Italy and Belgium will then visit the Stade de France, giving the new coach an early run of opponents from across the continent and a first chance to establish his own rhythms around the team.
