World Cup

Jules Koundé, appointed by Zidane as one of the captains

24 September 2026·5 min read·Carlos Rodríguez
Jules Koundé, appointed by Zidane as one of the captains

Zinedine Zidane has appointed Jules Koundé as part of Les Bleus' new leadership, alongside Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Adrien Rabiot, amid a new era for the national team.

Jules Koundé, appointed by Zidane as one of the captains

According to Mundodeportivo.

Context

Jules Koundé, who currently plays for FC Barcelona, has been an integral part of the Selección de Francia, especially with his performance in the last World Cup. Despite not being a regular at his club, his new role as captain has underlined his value to the national team, where he has proven reliable in big matches.

Why it matters

The appointment of Jules Koundé as one of the captains of the Selección de Francia shows Zinedine Zidane's confidence in his ability and experience, especially in the preparation for the World Cup 2026. The new leadership is important in building a strong core that will help organize the team's defense and transition. In the coming matches, captains like Koundé will be key to building confidence and unity within the dressing room.

Key Points

  • Jules Koundé, appointed by Zidane as one of the captains.
  • Zinedine Zidane appointed Jules Koundé as one of the four captains of the French national team, along with Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Adrien Rabiot.
  • Koundé, designated captain by Zidane.
Zinedine Zidane has appointed Jules Koundé as one of the captains of the French national team, L'Équipe reports. Zidane formally selected the new leadership of Les Bleus as the team began their camp during the current international break on Monday. Koundé captained France's three mainstays: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Adrien Rabiot. The move aims to establish a strong core of leadership within the dressing room—a group Zidane can lean on in the coming months as he builds his identity as a coach and adjusts the team's balance at both ends of the pitch. Known as a reliable defender who can play centrally and on the right, Koundé has been a regular for Les Bleus in the last major tournament and has proven ready for the big occasions. Although his starting role at Barcelona was not a regular one at the start of the season, Zidane's appointment showed that the new coach still has confidence in the 25-year-old keeper's ability and experience. France hopes to maintain a high level in this international window. They are scheduled to visit Turkey and Belgium, before facing Italy and Belgium again on home soil. Apart from being intense rehearsals against fellow top-level European opponents, these matches are important for the refinement of Zidane's system, particularly the organization of the defense and the transition led by the new leadership group. The selection of four captains is not merely symbolic; it's a tactical message. Mbappé is the face of the attack, Dembélé the dynamism on the flanks, Rabiot the stability in the middle, and Koundé the voice at the back—representing every line of the team. With this framework, in-game assignments can be passed more easily and teammates can adapt to Zidane's changes more quickly. As the next competitions approach and the road to the World Cup 2026 is being built in the United States, Canada and Mexico, it is important for France that the leadership structure is clear early on. Under Zidane, the defense is expected to be disciplined, the pressure on the first line aggressive, and the transition more efficient—areas that Koundé and his fellow captains will focus on. List of France captains under Zidane: - Kylian Mbappé - Ousmane Dembélé - Adrien Rabiot - Jules Koundé All in all, the message is clear: Zidane is opting for a combination of experience, influence, and tactical coverage from front to back. For Koundé, it's confirmation of his weight at the national level—and an opportunity to further strengthen the foundation of Les Bleus' defense in the next phase of the program.

What's next

France's matches against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy are expected to be important in their preparations for the 2026 football World Cup. These are not only rehearsals but also opportunities to test Zidane's new system and the ability of the new captains. The performance of Koundé and his teammates will be critical in developing their strategy and building as a team in the coming months.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Jules Koundé?

Jules Koundé has been appointed as one of the captains of the French national team by Zinedine Zidane.

Who confirmed the new leadership of France?

The new leadership of France has been formally chosen by Zinedine Zidane.

Why did Zidane choose Koundé as captain?

Zidane chose Koundé to establish a strong core of leadership within the dressing room as he builds his identity as a selector.

What changes have taken place in the French team?

The main pillars of France, including Koundé, were itin foster as captains to improve leadership and team balance.

What is the purpose of France's matches in this international window?

France hopes to maintain a high level and Zidane's system is refined in matches against Turkey, Belgium, and Italy.

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Mga Madalas na Itanong

What happened to Jules Koundé?
Jules Koundé was appointed as one of the captains of the French national team by Zinedine Zidane.
Who confirmed the new leadership of France?
The new leadership of France was formally chosen by Zinedine Zidane.
Why now Zidane chose Koundé as captain?
Zidane chose Koundé to establish a strong core of leadership within the dressing room as he builds his identity as a coach.
What changes have taken place in the French team?
France's mainstays, including Koundé, were appointed as captains to improve the team's leadership and balance.
What is the purpose of France's matches in this international window?
France will be hoping to maintain a high level and Zidane's system will be fine-tuned in matches against Turkey, Belgium and Italy.
What happened in this story?
Jules Koundé, appointed by Zidane as one of the captains summarizes the main development covered in this report.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.
World Cup 2026FC BarcelonaSelección de FranciaLa TriJules KoundéKylian MbappéOusmane DembéléAdrien Rabiot

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