The French World Cup team will be without its head coach, Didier Deschamps, when it takes the pitch on Friday, June 26, for its final group stage match against Norway as he mourns the death of his mother.
The French Football Federation announced the news in a statement on Tuesday, June 23.
“The national team coach was saddened to learn of his mother’s death on Tuesday morning,” the statement began. “He will return to France to attend her funeral.”
The statement continued, “At this incredibly painful time, we wish the head coach great strength and assure him of everyone’s support.”
“Our thoughts are with our manager and his family 🙏,” the Federation added via X, alongside a photo of the team huddled in a circle with their arms around each other.
Assistant coach Guy Stéphan will lead the team in his absence.
It is unclear when Deschamps, 57, will return to the team. Before the World Cup, he announced that he would retire as national team coach following the tournament.
“In 2026 it will be over. In my head it’s very clear. I’ve done my time, with the same desire and passion to maintain France at the highest level but 2026 is [a] very good [time to stop],” he said. “One has to be able to say stop, there’s a life after this. The most important is for France to stay at the top as they have been for many years.”
Les Bleus are coming off a 3-0 win over Iraq on Monday, June 22 in Philadelphia to improve to 2-0 in the Group Stage and ensure their spot in the Round of 32. France’s star, Kylian Mbappé, scored two goals in the victory, giving him 16 total goals in 16 World Cup games. Lionel Messi owns the all-time record with 18.
“Knowing [Mbappé], he is very demanding with himself. I have no worries about him. He is here to score goals, and he does,” Deschamps told reporters of his star. “He also plays his role of captain on and off the pitch. He has a worldwide aura. I have heard enough criticism about him and his selfish side, but that’s not him at all. He is the captain, and he is a very good example for the whole squad.”
He continued, “The most important [thing] for him is to be efficient. Records are made to be beaten. He has reached 100 caps … he will keep scoring many [goals]. Then, Messi, Ronaldo … I’m not sure Kylian will play until the same age, but he will always score a lot of goals while he is on the pitch. He has the ability to put the record even higher.”
