SportFootballDidier DeschampsFrance head coach Didier Deschamps will miss their final match of the group stage against Norway21:09, 23 Jun 2026Updated 21:33, 23 Jun 2026Didier Deschamps will miss France's final game of the World Cup group stages against Norway after the death of his mother. Their head coach will now return to his homeland from the United States and attend her funeral.‌France assistant coach Guy Stephan will step up after being entrusted by Deschamps in his absence. After winning both of their first two group stage games against Iraq and Senegal, they have already qualified for the knockout stages, alongside their upcoming opponents.‌Friday's match will determine who tops Group I. Deschamps, however, will not be in Boston as the group stage concludes.‌The French Football Federation said in a statement released on Tuesday: "Didier Deschamps will not be able ⁠to oversee training sessions ahead of the Norway v France match. He will also be absent from the bench for Friday's final Group I game."The national team coach learned this morning of the death of ‌his ⁠mother and will return to France to attend her funeral."In agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, who is ⁠currently at the France team's base camp, Deschamps has entrusted assistant coach Guy Stephan with responsibility ⁠for leading the squad until his return."‌Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by _signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!Stephan has spent the last 17 years assisting Deschamps, first at Marseille before following him to the national team. He was also previously an assistant under Roger Lemerre when France won Euro 2000 and the following year's Confederations Cup.‌After leaving France following those two successful tournaments, Stephan took over as Senegal coach after the 2002 World Cup. He remained there for almost three years before being dismissed from what remains his last head coaching role.Stephan also assisted Raymond Domenech, who went on to coach France, at Lyon. also worked under Jean Tigana there before taking over himself in 1995.There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.Article continues belowPlease check back regularly for updates on this developing story.Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Didier Deschamps