FIFA World Cup 2026: Deschamps will miss the France-Norway match after the death of his mother

France manager Didier Deschamps will not officiate his team’s final group stage match against Norway on Friday as he flies back to France to attend his mother’s funeral.

«Didier Deschamps will not be able to supervise training ahead of the match between Norway and France. He will also be absent from the bench for Friday’s final Group I match,» the French Football Federation said in a statement announcing the news.

“The national coach heard about the death of his mother this morning and will return to France to attend her funeral.

“In consultation with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is currently at the French team’s base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with the responsibility of leading the team until his return.”

France has already secured a place in the knockout round with victories in their first two Group I matches against Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0).

However, Norway has also won its first two matches and would move France into second place in the group if it wins Friday’s match in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Deschamps, 57, has coached the French national team since 2012 and will step down from his position at the end of the tournament. He led Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup championship and a penalty loss to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final. He captained France when the country won the World Cup on home soil in 1998 and finished with a then-record 103 caps for France when he retired from international football in 2000.

Published on June 24, 2026