Zidane’s France Debut Against Turkey Set to Draw Record TV Audience
Zinedine Zidane will lead France for the first time on Friday when Les Bleus travel to Izmit for a Nations League meeting with Turkey, opening a new era for the national side after Didier Deschamps’ departure.
The former France midfielder formally succeeded Deschamps in July, and his first match has become a major television event as well as a significant sporting occasion. TF1 will show the fixture after France’s 2026 World Cup campaign was carried by rival broadcaster M6.
Quick facts
- Zidane’s first match as France coach is away to Turkey in Izmit on Friday.
- He took over from Didier Deschamps in July.
- TF1 holds France rights for 10 matches per year, building towards Euro 2028.
- Telefoot’s Zidane-focused programme last Sunday delivered its best audience of the year.
- France’s viewing figures had fallen below those of the national rugby team last autumn.
TF1 expects Zidane’s appointment to revive interest in the team after a decline in public engagement during the closing stages of the Deschamps period. The channel believes curiosity around the new coach’s selections and footballing approach could bring a substantial rise in audience figures.
Julien Millereux, TF1’s sports director, said France remained central to the broadcaster’s schedule, with Euro 2028 the long-term destination. He said the public response since Zidane’s July appointment had already shown a clear appetite for the new chapter.
The change comes after a difficult period for the national team’s television appeal. Last autumn, France matches attracted smaller audiences than the country’s rugby union side, a notable reversal that raised concerns for the broadcaster.
Interest has increased sharply ahead of the trip to Turkey. Telefoot’s special edition on Zidane and his reshaped France squad became the programme’s most-watched broadcast of the year last Sunday.
Friday will provide the first clearer measure of whether that anticipation carries into live match viewing. For Zidane, however, the immediate task is simpler: begin his France reign with a Nations League win in Izmit.
