France will be without coach Didier Deschamps for its decisive final group-stage match against Norway at the 2026 World Cup. The French Football Federation said Deschamps’s mother has died, prompting him to leave the national team’s camp in the United States and return to France to be with his family and attend the funeral.
Because of the personal tragedy, Deschamps will not be on the touchline for Friday’s third and last group game. In coordination with federation president Philippe Diallo, he has handed responsibility for managing the squad to his trusted assistant, Guy Stéphan, who will lead the team until Deschamps returns.
The absence is a significant professional and emotional setback for France ahead of a match that will decide first place in the group. France and Norway each have a perfect six points after two rounds, making the meeting a direct battle for the top spot. France will now have to manage the game without its head coach present on the sidelines.
