Zinedine Zidane is the clear favorite to succeed Didier Deschamps after 2026. But one major obstacle could derail the plan: his lifetime deal with Adidas, while the French national team is tied to Nike.
On paper, it looked perfect: Deschamps steps down in 2026, Zidane steps in. A smooth, almost inevitable transition. But behind the scenes at the French Football Federation, a contractual minefield has emerged — the clash between Adidas and Nike, two giants whose interests collide right at Zidane’s feet.
Adidas vs Nike: the unexpected roadblock to Zidane’s appointment
Back in Zidane’s playing days, everything aligned nicely: both he and the French national team were Adidas athletes. But since 2011, the FFF has switched to Nike, and that “detail” has now turned into a major issue.
Zidane is tied to Adidas through a lifetime contract, a massive commitment that doesn’t exactly mesh with the requirements of a national coach, who must represent the team’s official sponsor… in this case, Nike, until 2034.
According to Le Parisien, the FFF will need to resolve this sponsorship conflict before making anything official. Neither brand can afford to be overshadowed or compromised.
The FFF wants everything settled before July 2026
The Federation wants all financial and contractual matters wrapped up before the expected announcement in July 2026. That includes image rights, commercial boundaries, brand visibility, and above all, how to reconcile a coach who is the face of Adidas with a team fully dressed by Nike.
“If the announcement does come in July, all financial and contractual aspects will logically have been settled beforehand — starting with the most delicate: Zidane’s lifetime deal with Adidas, while the FFF has been with Nike since 2011 and will remain so until 2034,” Le Parisien explains.
In short: the path is open for Zidane… but the Adidas vs Nike showdown may be the last major hurdle before the football legend finally sits on the France bench.
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