France head coach Didier Deschamps has temporarily left the team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 camp, mourning his mother’s passing.
The French Football Federation said on Tuesday that Deschamps would return to France to attend the burial and would be absent from the bench for Les Bleus’ final Group I encounter against Norway.
In a statement, the federation said, “Didier Deschamps will not be able to be on the bench on Friday for the final Group I game.
“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.”
France has already secured qualification for the Round of 32 after beginning their campaign with victories over Senegal and Iraq.
The former world champions will seek to top Group I when they take on Norway, led by Erling Haaland, on Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The tournament is believed to be Deschamps’ last World Cup as France’s manager.
Since taking over the position in 2012, he has presided over one of the most successful eras in French football, leading the team to victory at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and bringing Les Bleus to the finals of UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
