This week, French Football Federation President Philippe Diallo attended an inter-regional football event in Aix-en-Provence, where he gave an exclusive interview to La Provence, discussing his expectations for Zidane and his views on FIFA's World Cup commercialization plans.

Can you tell us about this event?

I initiated these meetings to bring together four leagues, symbolizing the federation's openness to local communities. Sometimes, people feel the federation is very "Parisian," with closed offices—almost like an ivory tower. I want to break that perception and show everyone that the federation and its staff will engage directly with communities across various regions and speak with those who contribute to football every day.

Zidane's first training session as coach of the French national team officially began this Monday. He has been in office for several weeks now. How is it going? What are your thoughts?

After that exciting moment of his appointment, I think he has now truly settled into his work. He has a highly capable team around him, just as he did in his previous roles. I believe he has a very clear vision of what he wants to achieve and how to manage the French team.

As you can see, he is breaking with past conventions. This is a genuine turning point: he called up only 23 players instead of the usual 26. This is the first sign that he will use them strategically. He also selected some players we might not have expected, leaving out others we anticipated.

So I think he is proceeding according to plan, showing a clear desire for change and a different approach to managing the team. Regarding the squad announcement, the list was released on Friday rather than the customary Thursday. I believe everything he is doing is intended to shake things up.

The purpose of these changes is clear: to win. I believe his deepest desire is to give back to the French national team as a coach, to repay the team for everything it gave him as a player and as a person—which is winning and bringing joy and pride to everyone.

You mentioned breaking with past practices. As federation president, do you expect the national team coach to make further adjustments?

I worked with Deschamps and his coaching staff for three years. We reached the semi-finals of the Euros and the semi-finals and quarter-finals of the World Cup. Deschamps led the French national team for 14 years and ultimately won the World Cup, which was truly remarkable.

As I said, that period was a golden age for the French national team. As president, my goal is to continue this golden age. Therefore, I need to find the right person to coach such a talented team, and I believe there are very few such candidates.

I believe Zidane is the most suitable person to lead us in continuing this golden age. I hope he can not only take the French team to the semi-finals as usual—which is typically France's benchmark—but go further and win the tournament. I think that is exactly why he is here.

What is the French Football Federation's position on FIFA's current issues?

I believe I have made my stance very clear. At the end of July, when a proposal was first made to create a commercial entity and allow private investors to acquire 20% of World Cup rights, I said this raised many questions and concerns. The media exposed a massive project worth nearly 20 billion euros, which itself was highly questionable.

I was involved in opposing this with others, partly because of my ties to UEFA, and our efforts were successful—the project was ultimately withdrawn. However, I see that damage has been done. The reputation of FIFA, and even that of football itself, has suffered, along with consequences from certain incidents during the World Cup.

I am particularly thinking of Balogun's red card, which undermined trust. Football should be a place of unity and cohesion. But what is happening now is causing division. Football is divided across the world, and we are seeing opposition between continents.

This is not positive, so I believe we need to turn a new page and restore football's image while maintaining the excitement on the pitch and uniting people worldwide—which is football's true essence and FIFA's responsibility. When trust is shaken, weakened, or broken, we must reassess the situation.

Olympique Marseille is currently facing a difficult economic situation. As federation president, are you concerned?

Olympique Marseille is an indispensable part of our football history. Therefore, Ligue 1 needs a strong Olympique Marseille because healthy competition makes the league more prestigious and exciting. When Olympique Marseille performs well, fans are more engaged, so I sincerely hope the club can regain its former glory.

Olympique Marseille is currently going through a difficult period, but their performance against PSG was encouraging, suggesting they might be on the path to recovery. They need to rebuild, which is in the interest not only of Olympique Marseille fans but of all French football. French football needs an Olympique Marseille that can compete among the league's elite.

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