The French head coach has traveled back to France to be present at his mother’s funeral. He is expected to return to Boston on Saturday, the day following France’s encounter with Norway.

Didier Deschamps, the head coach of France, will not be available for Les Bleus’ final group stage game against Norway on Friday, having traveled home due to the passing of his mother.

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On Tuesday, the French Football Federation (FFF) released a statement: «This morning, the national coach received the sorrowful news of his mother’s passing. He is returning to France to attend her funeral.»

«With the consent of Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation and present at the France team’s base camp, Didier Deschamps has delegated responsibility for managing the team to his assistant, Guy Stéphan, until his return,» the statement added.

Having assumed the role of head coach in 2012 and leading France to their 2018 World Cup triumph, Deschamps is slated to rejoin the squad and staff in Boston on Saturday, the day after their match versus Norway.

During his absence, he will stay in regular communication with his assistant, Guy Stéphan, regarding team selection decisions.

Deschamps previously missed a fixture against Denmark in 2022 following the death of his father.

Currently, France leads Group I with six points, having achieved a 3-1 victory over Senegal and a 3-0 win against Iraq at the start of their 2026 World Cup campaign.

Star forward Kylian Mbappé has already scored four goals and aims to maintain this momentum into the knockout rounds.

If France secures a win against Norway in Boston on Friday and finishes atop the group, they will face a third-placed team from one of Groups C, D, F, G, or H in the round of 32.