Soccer-France coach Deschamps to miss final group game to attend mother's funeral


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group I - France v Iraq - Philadelphia Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. - June 22, 2026 France coach Didier Deschamps is interviewed after the match IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kyle Ross/File Photo

NEW YORK, June ⁠23 (Reuters) - Didier Deschamps is flying ⁠back to France to attend his mother's ‌funeral and will not coach the team's last Group I game at the World Cup against ​Norway, the French federation ⁠said 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 FFF said ⁠in a ​statement.

"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."

France have already qualified for the knockout ​stage after beating Senegal ‌3-1 and Iraq 3-0 in ​their first two games.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot, Editing by Ken Ferris)

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