According to RMC Sport, French fans have shown a surge in enthusiasm for watching the national team after Zinedine Zidane took charge as head coach. On October 2 and 5, France will host two UEFA Nations League matches at the Stade de France. Tickets for both games have already sold out during the pre-sale phase, even before general public sales officially opened.

On July 28, legendary French footballer Zinedine Zidane officially became the new head coach of the French national team. Members of the French Football Federation and the official supporters’ club were given early access to ticket sales on July 29.

Jean-Baptiste Montagnier, president of the French supporters’ association “Bleus & Fiers,” said that while it is normal for fan enthusiasm to rise after a major tournament, the intensity of the ticket rush this time has still exceeded expectations. He believes Zidane’s return is the main reason why so many fans are eager to attend matches in person.

In the two Nations League fixtures, France will face Italy and Belgium, with the France vs Italy clash attracting the most attention. Montagnier revealed that inquiries about tickets for the match against Italy were three times higher than usual.

Montagnier explained that although Italy are not currently at their peak, the rivalry between France and Italy has a long history. In addition, Zidane’s appointment naturally brings memories of the 2006 World Cup final, making fans eager to witness another encounter between the two teams at home.

Thirty-four-year-old fan Geffroy has already secured two tickets for the France vs Italy match. He said the game at the Stade de France on October 2 will mark Zidane’s first home match in charge and therefore carries special significance. He has even started planning a trip to Milan to watch France’s away fixture.

For regular fans, general ticket sales will begin at 2:00 p.m. local time on July 31. To improve their chances of getting tickets, many supporters have prepared in advance.

Twenty-seven-year-old media professional Thibault Julien said he has arranged with several friends to purchase tickets online together and plans to sit in front of his computer half an hour before sales open.

Despite his strong desire to attend the match, Julien said he intends to remain financially sensible. As he already spends a significant amount on football-related expenses, including jerseys, streaming subscriptions, and match tickets, he has set his maximum budget for this purchase at €55 (the second ticket category).

Julien added that if he fails to secure tickets, he will not buy overpriced tickets through resale channels. Instead, he plans to watch the match broadcast with friends at a bar.