France aim to honour grieving Deschamps in final World Cup group game

France's national football team faces a poignant World Cup group stage match against Norway on Friday, with the squad aiming to secure a victory that would make their absent coach, Didier Deschamps, proud. Deschamps has flown back to France to attend his mother's funeral, a difficult time for the team as they navigate their final group game.

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Our objective is to make him as proud as possible.

Assistant coach Guy Stephan will lead the team in Deschamps' stead, a role he previously undertook following the death of Deschamps' father. "I am thinking a lot about Didier and his family. We are deeply affected by what has happened," Stephan told reporters, emphasizing the team's objective to support their coach. He added, "I am just trying to make a difficult situation as normal as possible."

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I am thinking a lot about Didier and his family. We are deeply affected by what has happened.

The news of Deschamps' mother's passing came just after France secured their place in the knockout stages with a 3-0 victory over Iraq. "He told me the bad news and very quickly he asked me to lead the team until he gets back," Stephan recounted. "This is a cruel situation for Didier and his family and so we need to just get through the third match."

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I am just trying to make a difficult situation as normal as possible.

Both France and Norway have already qualified for the next round, having won their previous two matches. The match will determine the group winner, with France needing only a draw due to their superior goal difference. Arsenal centre-back William Saliba will miss the game due to a back problem, and Maxence Lacroix is expected to replace him.

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He told me the bad news and very quickly he asked me to lead the team until he gets back, which will be on Saturday.