TF1 hopes for Zinédine Zidane effect as Les Bleus return | OneFootball

Les Bleus return to TF1 on Friday at 20:45 for their Nations League opener against Türkiye, with the broadcaster hoping for a Zinédine Zidane bounce in viewing figures.

According to L'Équipe, TF1, partner of the French federation until 2028, resumes coverage after the World Cup window on M6 and will air the match, with commentators Grégoire Margotton and Bixente Lizarazu promoting it on Quotidien on TMC on Wednesday.

The first four games of the Zidane era continue with Belgium twice on Mondays 28 September and five October, then Italy on Friday two October.

Les Bleus remain the channel’s year-round anchor, with Euro 2028 the high point. Curiosity since Zidane’s July appointment suggests strong public interest, and TF1 hopes this could lift audiences as a new chapter starts.

The push on Barthès’ show and on-air trailers is aimed at at least steadying numbers that have softened for football. The last Nations League, in 2024-2025, averaged 5 million viewers, compared with 6.2 million for the rugby Tests in autumn 2024. World Cup 2026 qualifiers in autumn 2025 drew 4.9 million on average, then rose to 5 million for spring warm-ups.

For now, Téléfoot’s Zidane-led edition on Sunday attracted 710,000 viewers, the best since the start of the season.

Source: L'Équipe

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