Deschamps absent for France’s final World Cup group match following family bereavement
The French national team coach has left the tournament site after the death of his mother, with interim leadership handed to his assistant for the fixture against Norway.
The French Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday that Didier Deschamps will miss France’s final World Cup group stage match against Norway after returning to France following the death of his mother. The federation stated that the 57-year-old coach had learned of the passing that morning and would attend the funeral, leaving him unable to occupy the bench for the Friday fixture in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Assistant coach Guy Stephan has been appointed to take temporary charge of the squad in Deschamps’ absence. Stephan will lead the team until the head coach’s return, a timeline that has not yet been specified by the governing body.
France, who have already secured their place in the last 32 of the tournament, are aiming to top Group I in this final group match. They previously qualified with a 3-1 victory over Senegal and a 3-0 win against Iraq, the latter of which was played in Philadelphia after a two-hour delay caused by severe thunderstorms and lightning.
The upcoming match against Norway, led by Erling Haaland, marks the end of an era for Deschamps. This tournament is his final in charge of the national side, concluding a 14-year tenure that began in 2012.
During his time as manager, Deschamps led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup. The team also reached the final of the 2022 World Cup, where they were defeated by Argentina on penalties, and the Euro 2016 final, where they lost to Portugal.
