Deschamps leaves World Cup camp for mother's funeral
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- Didier Deschamps learned of his mother's passing on Tuesday morning and was given permission by French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo to fly back to France to attend the funeral.
- Assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge of the France squad until Deschamps returns, the FFF confirmed in a statement.
- France have already secured a place in the knockout rounds after beating Senegal 3-1 in New Jersey and Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia — a match that included a two-hour weather delay.
- Friday's Group I finale against Norway in Boston will determine who wins the group, with Deschamps absent from the touchline for the decisive fixture.
- Deschamps, 57, won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship as a player, then led France as manager to the 2018 World Cup title in Russia and the 2022 final loss to Argentina.
Why it matters: Deschamps has managed France since 2012 — over a decade of continuity that now hands off to Guy Stephan for a group-deciding match against Norway. France are already through to the knockout stage, but topping Group I still shapes seeding and momentum, making the temporary handover a real test of the squad's depth.
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