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France’s head coach Didier Deschamps, who guided Les Bleus to the World Cup title in 2018 and a runners-up finish in 2022, was notably absent from the touchline during their final group stage encounter at the 2026 World Cup.

Deschamps, who also captained France to a World Cup triumph and is overseeing his final tournament before his contract expires, returned home earlier in the week to attend his mother’s funeral.

“At this incredibly painful time, we wish the head coach great strength and assure him of everyone’s support,” read a statement issued by the French Football Federation (FFF) on Tuesday.

The Norwegian coaching team paid tribute to Deschamps before the match at Gillette Stadium, presenting flowers to his deputy, Guy Stephan. The gesture, handed over by Norway manager Stale Solbakken, was a mark of sympathy for the long-time assistant and close friend of Deschamps, who took charge of Les Bleus in his absence.

Stephan, aged 69 and twelve years older than Deschamps, enjoyed a playing career as a forward with Guingamp, Rennes, Le Havre, and Orleans between 1976 and 1985. His time on the pitch came to an early end in 1987 while at Caen after a car accident curtailed his career.

When Deschamps hoisted the European Championship trophy in Rotterdam in 2000, Stephan served as assistant manager under Roger Lemerre. Before that, he had managed Annecy, Lyon, and Bordeaux, and later took over the Senegal national team following their shock victory over France in the 2002 World Cup.

Stephan reunited with Deschamps in 2009, when the former France captain returned to coaching after spells at Monaco and Juventus. Deschamps had just taken charge of Marseille following Eric Gerets’ departure to Saudi Arabia.

The partnership continued when Deschamps became France’s national team coach, leading the side to two World Cup finals — winning one — and a European Championship final in 2016.

Together, Deschamps and Stephan have worked side by side for 17 years, forming a partnership that helped restore France’s footballing reputation following the team’s disastrous 2010 World Cup campaign in South Africa.

“We understand each other,” Stephan told The Athletic this week. “We don’t even need to speak anymore. A glance is enough when we’re out on the pitch or at a training session; if something needs changing or tweaking, we just look at each other and – boom – it’s as if we’d actually spoken.”

Under Stephan’s temporary management, France displayed ruthless efficiency in the first half of their Group I decider against Norway in Boston.

Ousmane Dembele struck a rapid hat-trick to hand Les Bleus a commanding 3-1 advantage before the interval.

Meanwhile, Stephan’s son, Julien Stephan, has been managing Championship side Queens Park Rangers for just over a year. He previously had two stints in charge of Rennes, with a spell at Strasbourg in between.