France keen to secure top spot and avoid travel disruption, Stephan says

France is determined to secure first place in World Cup Group I when they face Norway on Friday, aiming to avoid significant travel disruption, according to assistant coach Guy Stephan. Manager Didier Deschamps has returned to France for his mother's funeral, leaving Stephan to address the media.

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First and foremost, we have qualified and it doesn't happen very often that after two games we have six points.

Stephan highlighted the team's strong performance, having secured six points after two games. He emphasized that finishing top of the group is a priority for both Deschamps and the entire squad. "First place is best," Stephan stated, explaining that finishing second would necessitate much longer travel times to cities like Dallas, Miami, and Atlanta, in addition to dealing with temperature differences.

Securing first place would allow the 2018 champions to remain based in Northeastern United States through the quarter-finals. The team that finishes second, however, faces the prospect of extensive travel across the country. Central defender William Saliba will miss the match against Norway, and striker Marcus Thuram is experiencing calf pain.

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Didier wants to finish top, as the whole group does, because it would be completely different logistically. The travel times to different cities would be a lot longer if we finish second. And there's the issue of the temperatures too. First place is best.

France and Norway have both advanced to the knockout stage after winning their opening two matches. France holds a superior goal difference, meaning a draw in their upcoming game would be sufficient to secure the top spot in the group.

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We talk a lot when he's here, when he's not here. I speak to him a lot on the telephone. There won't be a lot of conversation tomorrow.