France Coach Didier Deschamps to Miss FIFA World Cup 2026 Clash Against Norway Following Mother’s Death
Didier Deschamps will miss France's final FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match against Norway on June 26 in Foxborough after the passing of his mother. Assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge for the clash, which sees both teams already qualified for the knockout stages. Fans can catch the action on FOX (USA), BBC/ITV (UK), Zee (India), and SBS.
France's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign has been hit by a profound personal blow as national team coach Didier Deschamps will miss Friday's decisive Group I clash against Norway. The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Tuesday, June 23, that the 57-year-old (born October 15, 1968) received the devastating news of his mother's death that morning and has returned to France to attend her funeral. In Deschamps' absence, long-time assistant coach Guy Stephan will assume responsibility for leading the squad during training sessions and from the dugout for the final group stage encounter. FIFA President Gianni Infantino Defends World Cup 2026 Hydration Breaks, Says 'Not About Money'.
FFF Issues Statement
Didier Deschamps ne pourra pas assurer les entraînements avant la rencontre Norvège-France. Il ne pourra pas non plus être présent sur le banc vendredi pour le dernier match des Bleus dans le groupe I (21 heures, h.f.).
Le sélectionneur national a eu la douleur, ce mardi matin,… pic.twitter.com/Mqi67B0tJF
— FFF (@FFF) June 23, 2026
Group I Decider
The highly anticipated match between France and Norway is set to take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA, on Friday, June 26, 2026, with a kick-off time of 3 p.m. ET (Eastern Time). Both European powerhouses have already guaranteed their progression to the Round of 32, making this fixture a battle for top spot in Group I.
France secured their knockout berth with impressive victories over Senegal (3-1) and Iraq (3-0) in their opening two matches. Norway, featuring star striker Erling Haaland, also boasted a perfect record heading into this game, having defeated Senegal 3-2 and beat Iraq 4-1.
Head-to-Head & Recent Form
Historically, encounters between France and Norway have been rare and evenly contested. In their two previous meetings, both sides claimed a victory.
| Teams | Matches Played | France Wins | Norway Wins | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France vs Norway | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Their most recent clashes saw France securing a dominant 4-0 win in May 2014, while Norway earned a 2-1 victory in August 2010. This 2026 World Cup fixture marks their first-ever meeting in the tournament proper. What Are Cristiano Ronaldo-Led Portugal’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockouts Qualification Scenario After Congo DR’s Win Over Colombia?.
Looking at their recent form (last six matches, including World Cup group games):
France: W5 D0 L1 (15 goals scored, 6 conceded)
Norway: W3 D2 L1 (12 goals scored, 7 conceded)
The French Football Federation has extended its deepest condolences to Deschamps and his family during this incredibly difficult time, with the entire football world offering its support to the esteemed coach as he grieves the loss of his mother.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 24, 2026 01:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
