France manager Didier Deschamps has temporarily left the World Cup in the USA after the death of his mother, the French Football Federation announced on Tuesday. The 57-year-old has returned home to be with his family and attend the funeral.
Assistant Coach to Take Over
Deschamps is expected to miss France's final Group I match against Norway on Friday. Assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge of the team in his absence. France have already secured wins in their opening two matches, beating Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0, leaving them well placed to qualify for the knockout stages.
Deschamps' Legacy
Deschamps has been at the helm of the French national team since 2012. As a player, he captained France to World Cup victory in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000. As manager, he led Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2022. The team is expected to continue their campaign under Stephan until Deschamps rejoins after the funeral.
