Society
Deschamps To Miss France’s Final World Cup Group Match After Mother’s Death
France head coach Didier Deschamps will miss Les Bleus’ final group-stage match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the death of his mother.
Didier Deschamps, 57, was informed of the loss on Tuesday morning and has been granted permission by French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo to return home for the funeral.
France, already through to the knockout rounds after victories over Senegal and Iraq, face Norway in Boston on Friday with top spot in Group I at stake.
In a statement, the French Football Federation said: “The national team manager had the pain, this Tuesday morning, of learning of the passing of his mother. He will return to France to attend her funeral. In this extremely painful moment, we wish the manager and his family a lot of courage and assure them of the support of everyone within the Federation.”
Assistant coach Guy Stephan will take temporary charge of the squad until Deschamps returns. The match against Norway comes during what is expected to be Deschamps’ final major tournament in charge of France.
Deschamps remains one of the most decorated figures in French football. As captain, he led France to victory at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2000 before taking over as national team manager in 2012.
Under his leadership, France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and reached the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they were beaten by Argentina.
His side opened their current World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Senegal before defeating Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia in a match delayed for two hours by severe weather.
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