Sophie Renard 
Zinedine Zidane has been unveiled as the new head coach of France, succeeding Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup. The former Real Madrid manager signed a four‑year contract and will begin his tenure in September, with his first matches slated for a Nations League trip to Turkey followed by games against Belgium and Italy.
During a friendly between French club Metz and Dutch side Fortuna Sittard, referee Mathilde Demoncay was injured after being knocked down while attempting to intervene in a player melee. She suffered a concussion, briefly continued as an assistant referee before leaving at half‑time. Metz went on to win the match 3‑1.
Mercedes driver scout Gwen Lagrue, who helped discover talents such as Kimi Antonelli, is set to move to Red Bull to lead its driver development programme, filling the role vacated by Helmut Marko. The move is still being negotiated between the two rival Formula 1 teams, with no comment from the parties involved.
Chelsea have agreed a £850,000 deal to sign Manchester United striker Melvine Malard. The 26-year-old France international is set to join the Women’s Super League club and reunite with manager Sonia Bompastor after leaving Lyon in 2023.
NBA star Victor Wembanyama has signed a five-year, $252 million contract extension with the San Antonio Spurs, the maximum allowable for a rookie scale player. The deal includes an option in the fifth season and prioritizes financial flexibility for the team. Wembanyama, 22, helped the Spurs reach the 2025 NBA Finals and recently won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
Nordic Combined has been removed from the 2030 Winter Olympics program, the first time it will not feature since its 1924 debut. The International Olympic Committee cited limited competitors and low public interest as reasons for the decision, though the sport could return in 2034. The 2030 Games in the French Alps will also introduce Freeride and Synchro9 (figure skating) and aim for 50% female athlete participation.
Catalans Dragons picked up a third win in four Super League games with a victory over Bradford Bulls. The home side led 22-10 at the break thanks to tries from Zac Lipowicz, Josh Allen, Julian Bousquet and Solomona Faataape.
Kylian Mbappe scored a magnificent long-range goal in France’s 3-1 win over Senegal. Watch all the angles of his second goal.
Corentin Moutet used strong language during a live BBC interview after his match at Queen’s. He was interviewed on court after beating compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Moutet has previously been punished for his behaviour by the ATP Tour and the French Tennis Federation.
French sports journalists are highlighting the case of Christophe Gleizes, a French sports journalist who is in prison in Algeria, by leaving an empty seat in the press box at every France game at the World Cup. Gleizes was sentenced to 7 years in prison in 2025 for supporting terrorism.