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France is set to play Norway on Friday, June 26 in the highly-anticipated Group I decider at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium), but Les Bleus will be without its longtime manager for a tragic reason.
On Tuesday, June 23, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced in a press release posted to its website that Didier Deschamps' mother had passed away and he'd be returning to France for her funeral.
In doing so, he will miss Les Bleus' remaining training sessions this week at Bentley University in Waltham as well as the match against Norway, with the FFF saying assistant coach Guy Stéphan will take over managerial duties for the time being.
"In this extremely painful moment, we wish (Deschamps) and his family much courage and assure them of the support of everyone within the Federation," the FFF wrote.
Deschamps, who's been part of both of France's World Cup wins as a player in 1998 and manager in 2018, has helmed his nation since 2012. In January, the 57-year-old announced he would not be extending his contract and will step down from the role at its expiration following the 2026 World Cup.
Les Bleus are off to a strong start as they look to reach a third straight World Cup final, starting off Group I play with a 3-1 win over Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) on June 16 and following it up with a 3-0 win over Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) on Monday, June 22.
Captain Kylian Mbappé has led the charge, with the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward recording a brace (two goals) in both matches. He now sits level with German legend Miroslav Klose for the second most World Cup goals by a man (16) and trails Argentina's Lionel Messi, who recorded a hat trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria to become the all-time leading World Cup scorer, man or woman, by two (18).
France is set to take on Erling Haaland and Norway on Friday, June 26 at 3 p.m. in Foxboro. It'll be the second match for the Røde, Hvite, Blå at the stadium this tournament, having defeated Iraq 4-1 at the venue on June 16, while Les Bleusdefeated Brazil 2-1 in a friendly at Gillette on March 26. The winner of this match will take top spot in Group I, with the loser taking second. If it results in a draw, France would win the group on goal differential.
Ghana-England: 'In the United States, everything is expensive,' even World Cup points
Stéphan is a 69-year-old former forward who has served as France's assistant coach under Deschamps since 2012, having previously served as the former World Cup winning captain's assistant at Olympique de Marseille from 2009-2012. He was also an assistant for France from 2000-2002 and served as manager of Senegal from 2002-2005, leading Les Lions de la Teranga to the 2004 African Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
His son Julien Stéphan, also a former professional player, has served as head coach of English Championship club Queens Park Rangers since 2025.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: France's Deschamps returns home following mother's death
Continue reading...
On Tuesday, June 23, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced in a press release posted to its website that Didier Deschamps' mother had passed away and he'd be returning to France for her funeral.
In doing so, he will miss Les Bleus' remaining training sessions this week at Bentley University in Waltham as well as the match against Norway, with the FFF saying assistant coach Guy Stéphan will take over managerial duties for the time being.
"In this extremely painful moment, we wish (Deschamps) and his family much courage and assure them of the support of everyone within the Federation," the FFF wrote.
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Deschamps, who's been part of both of France's World Cup wins as a player in 1998 and manager in 2018, has helmed his nation since 2012. In January, the 57-year-old announced he would not be extending his contract and will step down from the role at its expiration following the 2026 World Cup.
Les Bleus are off to a strong start as they look to reach a third straight World Cup final, starting off Group I play with a 3-1 win over Senegal at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) on June 16 and following it up with a 3-0 win over Iraq at Philadelphia Stadium (Lincoln Financial Field) on Monday, June 22.
Captain Kylian Mbappé has led the charge, with the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward recording a brace (two goals) in both matches. He now sits level with German legend Miroslav Klose for the second most World Cup goals by a man (16) and trails Argentina's Lionel Messi, who recorded a hat trick against Algeria and a brace against Austria to become the all-time leading World Cup scorer, man or woman, by two (18).
France is set to take on Erling Haaland and Norway on Friday, June 26 at 3 p.m. in Foxboro. It'll be the second match for the Røde, Hvite, Blå at the stadium this tournament, having defeated Iraq 4-1 at the venue on June 16, while Les Bleusdefeated Brazil 2-1 in a friendly at Gillette on March 26. The winner of this match will take top spot in Group I, with the loser taking second. If it results in a draw, France would win the group on goal differential.
Ghana-England: 'In the United States, everything is expensive,' even World Cup points
Guy Stéphan to manage France vs Norway
Stéphan is a 69-year-old former forward who has served as France's assistant coach under Deschamps since 2012, having previously served as the former World Cup winning captain's assistant at Olympique de Marseille from 2009-2012. He was also an assistant for France from 2000-2002 and served as manager of Senegal from 2002-2005, leading Les Lions de la Teranga to the 2004 African Cup of Nations quarterfinals.
His son Julien Stéphan, also a former professional player, has served as head coach of English Championship club Queens Park Rangers since 2025.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: France's Deschamps returns home following mother's death
Continue reading...
