Didier Deschamps Travels Home to France Following Mother’s Passing

France’s head coach Didier Deschamps will sit out his team’s final World Cup group match after his mother’s death, the French Football Federation confirmed.

The 57‑year‑old coach received the news on Tuesday morning and was granted leave by FFF president Philippe Diallo to travel to France for the funeral.

Having already secured a place in the knockout rounds with victories over Senegal and Iraq, France will meet Norway on Friday in Boston to decide the top spot in Group I.

In a statement, the French Football Federation announced that assistant coach Guy Stephan will lead the team in Deschamps’ absence.

As a player, Deschamps captured the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000 while representing France.

He took over as national team manager in 2012, guiding France to World Cup triumph in Russia in 2018 and a final loss to Argentina in 2022.

France defeated Senegal 3‑1 in New Jersey last week, then recorded a 3‑0 win over Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia, a match interrupted by a two‑hour weather delay.

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