France’s players have vowed to deliver a strong performance for head coach Didier Deschamps when they face Norway in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I match, as the coach remains in France following the death of his mother.
Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni said the squad is determined to make Deschamps proud during the difficult period, stressing that the team is fully behind their coach and his family.
Assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge of Friday’s match after Deschamps travelled home to attend his mother’s funeral. Stephan said the entire squad has been deeply affected by the news and is focused on maintaining stability until the coach returns.
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Deschamps reportedly informed Stephan of the family tragedy shortly after France secured a 3-0 victory over Iraq, a result that gave Les Bleus two wins from two matches and confirmed their place in the knockout stage of the tournament.
Stephan explained that Deschamps personally asked him to oversee the team before returning to the United States after the funeral. The veteran assistant admitted the circumstances were emotionally challenging but said the team’s priority is to complete the group stage professionally.
France and Norway have both already qualified for the knockout rounds with six points from their opening two matches. However, France lead the group on goal difference and need only a draw to finish as Group I winners.
Winning the group would earn France a last-32 fixture against one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams in New Jersey on June 30, while the runners-up will face the second-placed team from Group E in Dallas.
France will be without defender William Saliba, who is sidelined with a back injury. Crystal Palace centre-back Maxence Lacroix is expected to replace him in the starting lineup as Les Bleus aim to end the group stage on a positive note and dedicate the performance to their absent coach.
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