Zinedine Zidane is yet to take charge of France for the first time, but his arrival has already made an impact off the pitch.
The former France and Real Madrid star is set to make his managerial debut with Les Bleus against Turkey in the Nations League in Izmit on Friday, September 25, with broadcasters expecting a significant rise in television interest.
Zidane replaced Didier Deschamps as France coach in July, immediately creating a fresh wave of attention around the national team. His first match will also mark France's return to TF1 after the 2026 World Cup was broadcast by rival network M6.
TF1 sports director Julien Millereux said the broadcaster had already noticed increased curiosity since Zidane's appointment and was hoping that interest would translate into bigger audiences.
"With ten matches a year, the France team remains our red thread, culminating in Euro 2028," Millereux told L'Equipe. "We have already seen the Zidane effect through the curiosity generated since the official announcement of his arrival in July."
The excitement comes at an important time for French football broadcasters. Audience figures for the national team had fallen during the final stages of the Deschamps era, with France's matches even attracting fewer viewers than the country's rugby team on one occasion last autumn.
There have already been signs of renewed interest since Zidane took over.
French football programme Telefoot recorded its highest audience of the year last Sunday after dedicating a special episode to Zidane's first France squad.
The former Ballon d'Or winner has also generated strong demand for tickets. According to L'Equipe, the first two home matches of the Zidane era against Italy and Belgium sold out in record time.
Now, attention turns to whether that enthusiasm will carry over to the television audience when Zidane finally takes his place on the France bench.
His first assignment comes against Turkey on September 25, with France then facing Belgium on September 28 before hosting Italy and Belgium in October.
While broadcasters will be watching the ratings closely, Zidane's immediate focus will be on getting his new-look France side off to a winning start.
