Grieving Deschamps to miss France's final World Cup group game
French national football team coach Didier Deschamps gives a press conference in Paris to announce the squad lists for the two upcoming friendly football matches against Germany and Chili, as part of preparations for the UEFA Euro 2024 on March 14, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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"Didier Deschamps will not be able to be on the bench on Friday for the final Group I game," said the federation in a statement.
"The coach had the painful experience this morning of learning of the death of his mother. He will return to France to attend the funeral."
In Deschamps' absence, his assistant Guy Stephan will take charge of the squad until the 57-year-old's return.
Having already qualified for the last 32 following a 3-1 victory over Senegal and a 3-0 win against Iraq, France will be aiming to top their group when they face Erling Haaland and Norway on Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
It is Deschamps' final tournament in charge of France.
During his 14-year reign, France won the 2018 World Cup, but lost in both the 2022 World Cup final -- on penalties to Argentina - and to Portugal in the Euro 2016 final.
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