France head coach Didier Deschamps will be absent from the team’s final 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match following the passing of his mother, the French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed.
Les Bleus secured their place in the knockout stages of the tournament after an emphatic 3-0 victory over Iraq on Monday. The 2022 runners-up had earlier defeated Senegal in their opening fixture, placing them at the top of Group I with six points. Norway also have six points but trail France on goal difference, with +4 compared to France’s +5.
France are scheduled to take on Norway on Friday night in Boston, but Deschamps will not be present on the sidelines. The FFF announced on Tuesday evening that the French manager’s mother had passed away earlier that day, and Deschamps received the news on Tuesday morning. He will now travel back to France to attend the funeral.
FFF president Philippe Diallo has granted Deschamps permission to return home. In his absence, assistant coach Guy Stéphan will manage Les Bleus as they aim to finish top of their group heading into the knockout phase.
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