Deschamps Returns to France for Mother's Funeral, Will Miss Norway Match

Didier Deschamps, the head coach of the French national football team, will be absent from Friday's World Cup qualifier against Norway due to the death of his mother. The French Football Federation (FFF) announced that Deschamps is returning to France to attend her funeral.

As a result, Deschamps will not be present on the bench for the match, which is the final Group I game of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The FFF confirmed that his assistant, Guy Stéphan, will take charge of the team in his absence. Stéphan will lead the squad until Deschamps rejoins the team at their base camp in Waltham, Massachusetts.

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Didier Deschamps will not be able to lead the training sessions before the Norway-France match. He will also not be able to be present on the bench on Friday. The national coach received the painful news of his mother's death this Tuesday morning. He will return to France to attend her funeral.

France has already secured qualification for the World Cup and is competing with Norway for the top spot in Group I. Both teams have a perfect record of six points, with France holding a slight advantage in goal difference. A draw would be sufficient for France to finish first, according to FIFA regulations which prioritize goal difference in case of a tie.

Following the announcement, the French squad observed a moment of silence in tribute to Deschamps' mother. Team captain Kylian Mbappé expressed the team's condolences, stating, "All our thoughts are with our coach and all his family. You are not alone."

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All our thoughts are with our coach and all his family. You are not alone.