Deschamps leaves World Cup squad to return home after death of his mother

Didier Deschamps will not be on the touchline when France face Norway in their final World Cup Group I match on Friday, 26 June at Gillette Stadium in Boston, after leaving the squad following the death of his mother.

The French Football Federation confirmed that Deschamps was informed of the news on Tuesday morning and has been granted leave to fly back to France to attend the funeral. Assistant manager Guy Stephan will take charge of the team in his place.

Both France and Norway have already secured their places in the round of 32, having each won their opening two group games against Senegal and Iraq. The two sides are level on points at the top of Group I, with France ahead on goal difference, meaning Friday’s match will determine who finishes as group winners.

The Group I winners will face one of the best eight third-placed teams in the round of 32 and are projected to meet Germany in the round of 16 should both sides progress. The runners-up will face their counterpart from Group E, a spot currently expected to be claimed by Ivory Coast.

There is no confirmation yet on when Deschamps is expected to rejoin the squad. France’s knockout-stage opener is scheduled for Tuesday, 30 June.

Deschamps announced last year that he will step down as France manager after the tournament, having held the role since 2012. Zinedine Zidane is reported to have reached a verbal agreement to succeed him — a reunion of two players who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 together as teammates, before Deschamps went on to claim a third major honour as manager at the 2018 World Cup.

France were runners-up at the last edition of the tournament, losing 4-3 to Argentina in a final widely regarded as one of the greatest in the competition’s history.