World Cup 2026: France manager Didier Deschamps will miss match vs. Norway to attend mother's funeral

France manager Didier Deschamps learned of his mother’s death on Tuesday morning and will miss Friday's group-stage match against Norway in the 2026 World Cup, the FFF announced Tuesday. Deschamps will return home to attend the funeral and, as a result, won't be in Foxborough, Massachusetts, for the Blues' final outing of group play.

Their match versus Norway will determine the winner of Group I, as both countries have six points so far. Both France and Norway, however, have already clinched the knockout round of the tournament.

Longtime national team assistant Guy Stéphan will lead France in Deschamps’ absence, according the FFF’s statement, which, via The Athletic, reads, in part:

“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 Stéphan, with the responsibility of leading the squad until his return.

“During this extremely painful time, we ask for your utmost respect and restraint.”

Deschamps has managed France the past 14 years. He piloted the Blues to the 2018 World Cup title in Russia. As a player, he captained the 1998 World Cup team that won it all on home soil in Paris.

France, which finished as the runner-up to Argentina during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is off to a 2-0 start in this year’s tournament.

This story is being updated.