Grieving Deschamps to miss France’s final World Cup group game after mother's death

Didier Deschamps, the head coach of the French national football team, will be returning to France after his mother passed away. Consequently, he will be absent from the sidelines for France's final Group I match in the World Cup.

The French Football Federation announced Deschamps' departure, stating that he received the news of his mother's death on Tuesday morning and will travel back to France to attend the funeral. In his absence, assistant coach Guy Stephan will assume responsibility for the team until Deschamps' return.

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Didier Deschamps will not be able to be on the bench on Friday for the final Group I game.

France has already secured their spot in the last 32 of the tournament, having won their previous matches against Senegal and Iraq. The team is now focused on finishing at the top of their group when they face Norway on Friday. This tournament marks Deschamps' final one in charge of the French team, concluding a 14-year tenure that saw France win the 2018 World Cup and reach the finals of the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2016.

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The coach had the painful experience this morning of learning of the death of his mother. He will return to France to attend the funeral.