Coach Didier Deschamps does not lead France vs Norway in the World Cup after his mother’s death
Coach Didier Deschamps will be absent from the France team’s bench in the final round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. The match, which will be played in Boston, United States, next Friday, June 26, will see the team without their coach, who heads to France for the funeral of his mother, who passed away this Tuesday.
The team’s leadership in the game against Norway will be the responsibility of Guy Stéphan, Deschamps’ assistant. The decision was taken in agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who accompanied the delegation at the training center. The game is of great importance, as it will determine first place in Group I, influencing France’s path in the knockout stages.
Despite the change in command, France has already secured its place in the second phase of the 2026 World Cup. Qualification came after 3-1 victories over Senegal and 3-0 against Iraq in the first two matches. Currently, Deschamps’ team occupies the top of Group I, driven by their good goal difference.
French Football Federation releases official statement on the dismissal
In an official statement, the French Federation reported that “Didier Deschamps will not be able to lead the training sessions before the match between Norway and France. He will also not be available on the bench on Friday, for the French team’s last game in Group I (9pm local time).”
The note details that “The national team coach was dismayed to learn of his mother’s death on Tuesday morning. He will return to France to attend the funeral.”
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The statement further clarifies that “In common agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who was present at the French team’s training center for the World Cup in the United States, Didier Deschamps entrusted the responsibility of leading the group until his return to his assistant, Guy Stéphan.”
Concluding the note, the Federation expressed: “In this extremely painful moment, we wish the coach and his family a lot of strength and assure them of the support of everyone in the Federation.”
