Zinedine Zidane Plans Tactical Changes as France Faces Belgium in Nations League

Zinedine Zidane, the manager of France, confirmed he will introduce calculated changes to his starting eleven for their critical UEFA Nations League fixture against Belgium. With important players unavailable, Zidane aims to keep France leading Group A1 after a demanding international break.

France Eyes Maintaining Top Spot in Group A1

France is preparing to face Belgium with the goal of preserving their position at the top of Nations League Group A1. Their recent 1-1 draw against Italy at Stade de France followed wins over Turkey and Belgium, keeping them in a solid spot ahead of this match.

Belgium currently sits second with six points, having rebounded from a 1-0 loss to France in Brussels by defeating Turkey 3-0. This upcoming match will test Zidane's squad as they look to strengthen their group dominance.

Smart Squad Adjustments Required Due to Absences

Zidane faces challenges with key players missing. Captain Kylian Mbappe is sidelined due to a knee injury sustained in the Turkey game, while defender Dayot Upamecano is suspended after receiving a red card versus Italy.

Despite these setbacks, Zidane trusts the squad’s depth and plans to rotate players carefully. He emphasized the need for smart choices that balance freshness with competitiveness.

"There will be changes, that’s for sure. It is our fourth match, and we can’t just do anything," Zidane told L’Equipe. "We will make smart changes, and above all, we will do it to be competitive."

Building Team Spirit Through Rotation

The coach sees rotation as a way to involve more players, building team spirit and keeping everyone engaged. He pointed out the strong competition within the squad and the shared commitment among the players.

"It is to show that we are all involved and that all the players are committed to this team, to demonstrate that there is a lot of competition within the French national team," Zidane explained.

He also reflected on the difference between national team work and club duties, expressing how much he enjoyed the time spent with the players during the international break.

"The demands are the same, but the difference is that the work with the national team differs from that at club level. I enjoyed the daily work, and today I take on a different role, but my desire to work in harmony with my team has not changed. It was fantastic to spend 15 days with the players, and I feel a certain frustration at the thought of this period ending. We still have one last effort to make to leave the camp happy."

Knockout Stage Ambitions on the Line

France leads Group A1 with seven points, and a win against Belgium would put them in a strong position to reach the knockout rounds. This fixture marks the end of the current international break for Les Bleus, who will return to action in November.

• Competition: UEFA Nations League A
• Match: France vs Belgium
• Date: 5 October 2026
• Time: 21:45