France team thrown into mourning as coach Deschamps loses his mother
By Luke Oluoch, June 24, 2026France’s national team coach Didier Deschamps has temporarily left the Les Blues World Cup base in the United States on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, to return to France following the death of his mother.
The French Football Federation confirmed extending compassionate leave to the veteran coach following the tragic news, as the former World Cup winner was given time off to be with his mourning family.
The FA added that Deschamps will miss France’s decisive Group I match against Norway on Friday, June 26, 2026, in Massachusetts.
“The national team coach had sorrow this Tuesday morning upon learning of the death of his mother. He will return to France to attend her funeral,” the club statement read in part.
In his absence, long-time assistant coach Guy Stéphan will take interim lead of the team’s training sessions for the remaining days and feature on the touchline bench duties for the final group clash.
“In agreement with Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, who is present at the France team’s base camp for the World Cup in the United States, Didier Deschamps has entrusted responsibility to his assistant, Guy Stéphan, to lead the group until his return.”
In a moving gesture, the FA also took time to condole with the gaffer and his family, assuring them of their support during the mourning period.
Condolences
“In this extremely painful moment, we wish the coach and his family much courage and assure them of the support of everyone at the Federation.”
France is due to face Norway in the final group clash on Friday, June 26, 2026, with the eventual winner taking the pole position in the group. Both teams have been on a cruise, winning their opening matches back-to-back to seal an early progress to the round of 32.
France and Norway through
Kylian Mbappe’s skippered team outsmarted Senegal 3-1 in their opening group game, with the talismanic attacker netting a brace to get his campaign and France’s off to a flyer.
They punched their ticket to the next round with a 3-0 victory on Monday, June 22, 2026, against Iraq, in a clash that was temporarily delayed due to thunderstorms.