France's World Cup campaign will continue without head coach Didier Deschamps for their final group stage match against Norway. The French Football Federation announced Tuesday that Deschamps will take compassionate leave following the death of his mother.
Deschamps, 57, has left the team's World Cup camp and is expected to return to France for funeral arrangements. He will not be on the touchline for the upcoming match against Norway, which features star player Erling Haaland, nor will he be present at the game itself. The match is scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium.
Assistant coach Guy Stephan will assume head coaching duties in Deschamps' absence. "The national team coach was deeply saddened to learn this morning of the passing of his mother," the FFF stated. "In agreement with Philippe Diallo, President of the French Football Federation, who is present at the French national team's training camp, Didier Deschamps has entrusted his assistant, Guy Stephan, with the responsibility of leading the squad until his return."
France has already secured a place in the knockout stage of the tournament. The team clinched their spot with a 3-0 victory over Iraq on Monday night, following an earlier 3-1 win against Senegal. Deschamps has managed the French national team since 2012, leading them to a World Cup victory in 2018 and a runner-up finish in the previous tournament in Qatar. This 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is expected to be his final tournament in charge, as he had previously announced his intention to step down after the event.