France’s national football team will face Norway in their final World Cup group stage match without head coach Didier Deschamps, who has left the tournament camp following the death of his mother. The French Football Federation (FFF) announced that Deschamps was informed of the passing on Tuesday morning and has returned to France to attend the funeral.

Assistant coach Guy Stéphan has been appointed to lead the team in Deschamps’s absence, including the upcoming match scheduled for Friday in Massachusetts. The FFF expressed its condolences and support for Deschamps during this difficult time but did not provide details on when the head coach might rejoin the squad in the United States.

This development comes at a critical moment for France as they seek to advance from the group stage. The team must navigate the remainder of the tournament under Stéphan’s temporary leadership while managing the emotional impact of their coach’s departure.