There are debuts that already feel historic. Turkey - France, the first match of Zinédine Zidane as France head coach, probably belongs to this category. On Friday, September 25, 2026, the former No. 10 will officially take his place on the France bench for the start of the Nations League 2026-2027. The kickoff will be at 8:45 p.m. French time, at the Kocaeli Stadium, in Turkey.
French fans will need to clear their calendars for Friday, September 25. At 8:45 p.m., Zinédine Zidane will face his baptism of fire as the national team coach, seven years after the last France-Turkey showdown.
The two national sides last faced each other on October 14, 2019, at the Stade de France, finishing all square at 1-1 in the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
This time the scene shifts: off to Turkey and the Kocaeli Stadium in İzmit. The official ticket office of the French Football Federation confirms a kickoff at 9:45 p.m. local time, i.e. 8:45 p.m. in metropolitan France.
In France, good news for those who don’t want to juggle subscriptions: Turkey - France will be broadcast free and live on TF1. The match will also be available for streaming on TF1+.
TF1 is set to go on air at 20h35, ten minutes before kickoff. Grégoire Margotton and Bixente Lizarazu will handle the commentary, with Saber Desfarges reporting from close coverage of the France squad. After the match, Thomas Mekhiche will present “L’Après-Match,” including a feature-length look at the career of Zinédine Zidane.
Zidane obviously won’t be back with Les Bleus just for a French TV audience. Turkey - France will also be available in a wide number of countries, with Nations League rights split among several local broadcasters.
According to UEFA's official list for the 2026-2027 edition, here are the key broadcasters you should know about:
These broadcasters are UEFA's official partners for the 2026-2027 Nations League. The exact schedule for Turkey - France may vary by country and platform.
Across the Atlantic, Zidane’s first match in charge of the Blues could also draw a sizable crowd of night owls… even though, thanks to the time difference, some will end up watching it in the middle of the afternoon.
In the United States, UEFA named FOX Sports, FuboTV and ViX as its partners. In Canada, the Nations League rights are held by DAZN Canada.
In Latin America, Disney+ is among the official broadcasters in several markets, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay and Venezuela. In Brazil, the competition is available through Disney+ and SporTV.
For French-speaking readers living in the Maghreb, rights are primarily held by beIN Connect in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. The platform is also listed by UEFA across many Middle Eastern markets, including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
Across several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Nations League is offered by New World TV and/or DStv Stream, notably in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea or Gabon.
French fans will also be looked after halfway around the world. In Japan, UEFA lists DAZN as the broadcaster; in India, the competition is carried by Sony Sports Network, while in China, rights are held by iQIYI Sports.
In Australia, the Nations League is broadcast on beIN SPORTS.
Note, however: the platforms mentioned are the rights holders for the Nations League in their respective territories. The exact availability for Turkey – France, the channel used, and any subscription requirements may vary from country to country. It is therefore advisable to check the local broadcaster’s schedule before kickoff.
That’s what makes this evening so special. Zinedine Zidane and the French team is a story we long assumed would only be told in hindsight: the 1998 World Cup, Euro 2000, the moments of genius, and, of course, that 2006 final that remains etched in memory.
Twenty years after his last appearance in the blue, Zidane returns to the national team in a completely different guise. The Turkish clash opens a remarkably packed stretch. After Turkey, the French will face Belgium on September 28, then Italy on October 2, and Belgium again on October 5.
And Île-de-France will be strongly represented in this new venture. Eight players from Zidane’s first squad have been developed at clubs in the Île-de-France region, including Mike Maignan, Ibrahima Konaté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Maghnes Akliouche, and Kylian Mbappé. Two members of the national team, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, also ply their trade at Paris Saint-Germain.
Turkey - France: Friday, September 25, 2026 at 8:45 p.m., live on TF1 and TF1+. For Zidane, this time there’s no question of donning the No. 10 jersey: his new chapter with the Blues will begin from the bench.
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