France will be without Didier Deschamps on the touchline for their next World Cup match. The head coach is set to return home temporarily following the death of his mother.
France coach leaves World Cup camp
Didier Deschamps will temporarily leave the France national team during the 2026 World Cup. The reason is a family tragedy — his mother has passed away.
The news came shortly after France recorded their second victory of the tournament. After beating Senegal 3-1 in their opening match, Les Bleus also defeated Iraq 3-0, strengthening their position in the group.
A few hours later, French media reported that Deschamps had received tragic personal news. According to RMC Sport, the 57-year-old coach will travel back to France to attend the funeral.
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Guy Stephan to take charge against Norway
Deschamps is not expected to be present for France’s final group-stage match against Norway. That game is scheduled for Friday at 21:00 Polish time.
In his absence, assistant coach Guy Stephan will lead the team from the bench. Stephan has worked closely with Deschamps for years and is familiar with both the squad and the coaching structure, so France should maintain continuity despite the emotional circumstances.
From a sporting perspective, the situation comes at an important stage of the tournament, but the decision is understandable. Deschamps is stepping away only briefly, and France will continue preparations for the Norway match under his staff.
The French team have started the World Cup strongly, but the focus around the squad has now shifted beyond football. For Deschamps, the coming days will be shaped by personal loss rather than tactical planning.