France will be without manager Didier Deschamps for their crucial Group I World Cup qualifier against Norway on Thursday evening. The 2018 World Cup-winning boss has returned to France following the death of his mother earlier this week.
Why is Deschamps absent?
The French Football Federation confirmed in a statement that Deschamps flew back to France to attend his mother's funeral, meaning he will miss the match at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. He has also been absent from recent training sessions.
Who will take charge?
Assistant coach Guy Stephan will assume managerial duties for the match. Stephan will be tasked with outsmarting Norway manager Stale Solbakken, the former Wolves boss, as France aim to secure top spot in Group I.
Match significance
France have already qualified for the knockout stages but need at least a draw to finish first in the group. The match also features a battle between two of the world's top strikers: Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, both chasing the World Cup golden boot. Lionel Messi currently leads with five goals, while Mbappe and Haaland are one behind.
Deschamps became the third person to win the World Cup as both a player and manager, after Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer. His absence is a significant blow, but France will look to secure the result they need.
