Deschamps returns to France's World Cup camp after attending his mother's funeral

Didier Deschamps has returned to France’s World Cup squad after missing the team’s final group-stage match to attend his mother’s funeral. The French Football Federation confirmed his return with a social media post reading: “Didier is with us.”

Deschamps flew back to France following his mother’s death, with the FFF announcing he would be absent for the Group I clash against Norway. Assistant coach Guy Stephan took charge of the side by agreement with FFF president Philippe Diallo, overseeing a 4-1 victory in which Ousmane Dembele scored a hat-trick against a much-changed Norway lineup.

France had already secured their place in the knockout rounds before Deschamps departed, having beaten Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0 in their opening two matches. The win over Norway confirmed them as group winners.

Deschamps is set to step down as France head coach at the conclusion of the tournament, ending a tenure that began in 2012. He was captain of the France side that won the World Cup on home soil in 1998, and has since built one of the most decorated coaching records in international football.

The highlight of his 14-year reign came in 2018, when he guided France to a second World Cup title with a 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final in Moscow. He has also led the side to two further finals — a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Portugal at Euro 2016, and a penalty shootout loss to Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

With a third World Cup title in their sights, France will look to Deschamps to guide them through the knockout phase as he prepares for what is expected to be his final tournament in charge.