France coach Didier Deschamps is set to return to his homeland after the death of his mother and will therefore miss the final match of the group stage in the World Cup against Norway, the French Football Federation has confirmed.
In a statement, the federation said Deschamps would not be able to sit on the bench for Friday’s concluding Group I fixture.
The federation added that the coach learned of his mother’s passing earlier in the day and will travel back to France to attend the funeral.
With Deschamps absent, assistant coach Guy Stephan will lead the squad in the interim until the 57-year-old returns.
What France will be playing for
- France have already secured their place in the last 32 after beating Senegal 3-1 and then defeating Iraq 3-0.
- On Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, France will take on Norway with Erling Haaland among the opposition as they look to finish top of Group I.
- The meeting is Deschamps’ final World Cup tournament in charge of the national team.
Deschamps’ France record
Across 14 years in charge, Deschamps guided France to the 2018 World Cup title, while also overseeing heartbreak at major finals — including a 2022 World Cup decider lost on penalties to Argentina and defeat to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final.
