France head coach Didier Deschamps will miss his side’s final World Cup group-stage match against Norway after the death of his mother, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Tuesday.
Deschamps, 57, was informed of his mother’s passing on Tuesday morning and has been granted permission by FFF president Philippe Diallo to return to France to attend her funeral.
Assistant coach Guy Stephan will oversee the team in Deschamps’ absence as France prepare to face Norway in Boston on Friday. France have already secured a place in the knockout rounds after victories over Senegal and Iraq in their opening two matches, with the clash against Norway set to decide the winner of Group I.
The FFF said Stephan will remain in charge until Deschamps returns to the squad.
A former France captain, Deschamps won the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000 as a player. Since taking charge of the national team in 2012, he has guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and a runners-up finish in 2022.
France opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 3-1 victory over Senegal before defeating Iraq 3-0 on Monday in a match delayed for two hours by severe weather in Philadelphia.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
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