The French كرة القدم Federation has confirmed that France’s head coach Didier Deschamps will be absent from the team’s last Group I match at the World Cup due to the sudden passing of his mother. Deschamps will return to France to attend the funeral, missing the crucial encounter against Norway.
In an official statement, the federation announced, “Didier Deschamps will not be able to be on the bench on Friday for the final Group I game.” The news came after Deschamps received the heartbreaking news earlier that morning. Until his return, assistant coach Guy Stephan will assume responsibility for the squad.
France’s Position Ahead of the Decisive Match
France enters their final group stage fixture having already secured a place in the last 32 following convincing wins over Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0). The team now aims to clinch the top spot in Group I when they face a challenging النرويجية side led by Erling Haaland on Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
This tournament marks the end of Deschamps’ 14-year tenure as the national team’s coach. Under his leadership, France achieved remarkable success, including winning the 2018 World Cup. However, the team also experienced heartbreak, finishing as runners-up in the 2022 World Cup final—losing to Argentina on penalties—and in the Euro 2016 final, where they fell to Portugal.