'A dream come true': Zidane confirmed as France coach, first game away to Türkiye in September

Overnight: no fixtures

Ten days on from the final, there are no matches. The move was on the touchline: the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on 28 July, JST, that Zinedine Zidane will be France's next head coach. Didier Deschamps steps away after a 14-year reign, and Zidane's contract runs from 1 August through the 2030 World Cup — four years. At his unveiling Zidane said his 'dream has come true,' adding that over the past five years he had turned down every club offer because the only job he wanted was France. A central figure in the 1998 home World Cup win returns, this time as the manager.

Japan today: the moving story is the transfer market

Japan's coaching picture is settled. Hajime Moriyasu stays in charge through the Asian Cup in January–February, after which Go Oiwa takes over. What keeps moving is Europe's transfer market. The confirmed moves are Daizen Maeda's permanent switch to Ipswich and Hidemasa Morita's arrival at Hull City. Kaishu Sano (Mainz) is linked with Liverpool and other clubs, but there is no official announcement and the deal is still at the negotiating stage. This morning, keep the confirmed moves and the 'in talks' ones apart.

Tonight and after

There are no fixtures scheduled. The next thing on the calendar is France's new era: Zidane starts in September, with his staff expected to be named around then. His first match is away to Türkiye in the Nations League on 25 September, followed by Italy at home on 2 October. France share the group with Italy, Belgium and Türkiye. Japan next gather for the Asian Cup in the new year.