Zidane Bans Hairdressers and Curbs Media Access at France Camp
Zinedine Zidane has moved to tighten the environment around France’s national team by barring hairdressers from the Clairefontaine training base and reducing media access during player arrivals.
Why the changes matter for France
The measures mark an early attempt by the new head coach to place sporting preparation above the fashion and publicity that have often accompanied Les Bleus gatherings. Zidane took charge after Didier Deschamps’ departure following the 2026 World Cup and is seeking a more controlled atmosphere from the outset of his tenure.
France’s players will now be expected to arrange any grooming before reporting for international duty. The policy is notable within a squad that includes Kylian Mbappé and Michael Olise, two players regularly associated with high-profile style choices away from the pitch.
Zidane has also restricted photographers and television crews around the entrance to the team’s Clairefontaine residence. Player arrivals had become a prominent social-media event, with designer outfits frequently generating extensive discussion before a ball had been kicked.
Under the revised arrangements, the emphasis is intended to fall on the squad’s work rather than the spectacle surrounding it. The former Real Madrid coach wants France’s internationals treated first as athletes preparing for competition, rather than as celebrities arriving for a public showcase.
Competitive tests arrive quickly
The stricter approach will face an immediate examination in the Nations League, where France are due to meet Italy, Belgium and Turkey. Those fixtures represent Zidane’s first significant competitive assignments with Les Bleus and will provide an early indication of whether his more disciplined camp structure can translate into results on the field.
