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Deschamps absent: Guy Stéphan leads Les Bleus against Norway
The 2026 World Cup is bringing its dramas off the pitch as well. As the France team prepares for a decisive match against Norway on June 26 in Foxborough, Didier Deschamps had to leave the Bleus' base camp in Boston in a hurry. The reason: the death of his mother, Ginette Deschamps, announced on June 23. In these painful circumstances, his loyal assistant Guy Stéphan will take his place on the bench.
Deschamps in mourning: the coach returns to France
The French Football Federation (FFF) officially announced the news on June 23: Didier Deschamps will not be on the bench for the final group match against Norway. The 55-year-old France coach learned of his mother's death in the middle of the World Cup and decided to return to France to attend Ginette Deschamps' funeral.
This is not the first time Deschamps has faced such an ordeal during an international tournament. In June 2022, during the Nations League, he also had to be away for a few days after the death of his father. At the time, France lost to Denmark — a painful memory that the players and staff will try to put behind them this time against the Norwegians.
Guy Stéphan: the man in the shadows takes charge
To handle the interim role, the FFF turned to Guy Stéphan, Didier Deschamps' long-time assistant. Born on October 17, 1956, Stéphan has worked alongside Deschamps for more than 15 years. He became his right-hand man at Olympique de Marseille in 2009, then followed the coach to the head of the France team in 2012.
His playing career, as a midfielder in the 1970s and 1980s (Guingamp, Rennes, Le Havre, Orléans, Caen), was cut short by a car accident at the age of 29. He then turned to coaching with the same seriousness that has characterized his work for decades.
Guy Stéphan knows every player, every system of play and every tactical habit of the team. He had already led Les Bleus in Deschamps' absence in 2022 and knows exactly what it means to manage a group of this scale during a major tournament.
The stakes of France-Norway
This third match in Group I looks set to be a clash between two teams level on points. France and Norway both have six points before this meeting. In practical terms, a draw will be enough for Les Bleus to finish top of the group — but victory remains the stated objective to approach the rest of the World Cup in the best possible conditions.
Norway, led by Erling Haaland, will do everything to turn the situation around and finish first. Mbappé's teammates, who dominated Iraq (3-0) in the previous match thanks to a brace from their captain, will need to confirm their efficiency without their head coach on the bench.
The group managed calmly by the staff
According to information relayed by the FFF, the atmosphere within the France squad remains united despite the sadness linked to this news. The players have of course been informed and are supporting their coach through this personal ordeal. The message is clear: the best way to honor this moment is to perform on the pitch.
The full technical staff remains in place. Guy Stéphan will lead training and will be present in the technical area for the match on June 26. Deschamps should rejoin the group as soon as possible, probably before the round of 16 if France qualify — which, with six points already secured, seems almost certain.
A moment that will remain in the history of Les Bleus
This unprecedented situation in the middle of a World Cup highlights the human dimension of elite football. Behind the results, statistics and sporting stakes, there are people living through universal moments. Didier Deschamps, a towering figure in French football from his achievements as a player (1998 World Cup, Euro 2000) to his title as world champion coach in 2018, is going through an ordeal everyone can understand.
The way the France team responds on Friday, June 26, against Norway will be watched closely. Beyond the sporting result, this match will probably be remembered for other reasons as well.
Deschamps absent: Guy Stéphan leads Les Bleus against Norway
The 2026 World Cup is bringing its dramas off the pitch as well. As the France team prepares for a decisive match against Norway on June 26 in Foxborough, Didier Deschamps had to leave the Bleus' base camp in Boston in a hurry. The reason: the death of his mother, Ginette Deschamps, announced on June 23. In these painful circumstances, his loyal assistant Guy Stéphan will take his place on the bench.
Deschamps in mourning: the coach returns to France
The French Football Federation (FFF) officially announced the news on June 23: Didier Deschamps will not be on the bench for the final group match against Norway. The 55-year-old France coach learned of his mother's death in the middle of the World Cup and decided to return to France to attend Ginette Deschamps' funeral.
This is not the first time Deschamps has faced such an ordeal during an international tournament. In June 2022, during the Nations League, he also had to be away for a few days after the death of his father. At the time, France lost to Denmark — a painful memory that the players and staff will try to put behind them this time against the Norwegians.
Guy Stéphan: the man in the shadows takes charge
To handle the interim role, the FFF turned to Guy Stéphan, Didier Deschamps' long-time assistant. Born on October 17, 1956, Stéphan has worked alongside Deschamps for more than 15 years. He became his right-hand man at Olympique de Marseille in 2009, then followed the coach to the head of the France team in 2012.
His playing career, as a midfielder in the 1970s and 1980s (Guingamp, Rennes, Le Havre, Orléans, Caen), was cut short by a car accident at the age of 29. He then turned to coaching with the same seriousness that has characterized his work for decades.
Guy Stéphan knows every player, every system of play and every tactical habit of the team. He had already led Les Bleus in Deschamps' absence in 2022 and knows exactly what it means to manage a group of this scale during a major tournament.
The stakes of France-Norway
This third match in Group I looks set to be a clash between two teams level on points. France and Norway both have six points before this meeting. In practical terms, a draw will be enough for Les Bleus to finish top of the group — but victory remains the stated objective to approach the rest of the World Cup in the best possible conditions.
Norway, led by Erling Haaland, will do everything to turn the situation around and finish first. Mbappé's teammates, who dominated Iraq (3-0) in the previous match thanks to a brace from their captain, will need to confirm their efficiency without their head coach on the bench.
The group managed calmly by the staff
According to information relayed by the FFF, the atmosphere within the France squad remains united despite the sadness linked to this news. The players have of course been informed and are supporting their coach through this personal ordeal. The message is clear: the best way to honor this moment is to perform on the pitch.
The full technical staff remains in place. Guy Stéphan will lead training and will be present in the technical area for the match on June 26. Deschamps should rejoin the group as soon as possible, probably before the round of 16 if France qualify — which, with six points already secured, seems almost certain.
A moment that will remain in the history of Les Bleus
This unprecedented situation in the middle of a World Cup highlights the human dimension of elite football. Behind the results, statistics and sporting stakes, there are people living through universal moments. Didier Deschamps, a towering figure in French football from his achievements as a player (1998 World Cup, Euro 2000) to his title as world champion coach in 2018, is going through an ordeal everyone can understand.
The way the France team responds on Friday, June 26, against Norway will be watched closely. Beyond the sporting result, this match will probably be remembered for other reasons as well.
Deschamps absent: Guy Stéphan leads Les Bleus against Norway
The 2026 World Cup is bringing its dramas off the pitch as well. As the France team prepares for a decisive match against Norway on June 26 in Foxborough, Didier Deschamps had to leave the Bleus' base camp in Boston in a hurry. The reason: the death of his mother, Ginette Deschamps, announced on June 23. In these painful circumstances, his loyal assistant Guy Stéphan will take his place on the bench.
Deschamps in mourning: the coach returns to France
The French Football Federation (FFF) officially announced the news on June 23: Didier Deschamps will not be on the bench for the final group match against Norway. The 55-year-old France coach learned of his mother's death in the middle of the World Cup and decided to return to France to attend Ginette Deschamps' funeral.
This is not the first time Deschamps has faced such an ordeal during an international tournament. In June 2022, during the Nations League, he also had to be away for a few days after the death of his father. At the time, France lost to Denmark — a painful memory that the players and staff will try to put behind them this time against the Norwegians.
Guy Stéphan: the man in the shadows takes charge
To handle the interim role, the FFF turned to Guy Stéphan, Didier Deschamps' long-time assistant. Born on October 17, 1956, Stéphan has worked alongside Deschamps for more than 15 years. He became his right-hand man at Olympique de Marseille in 2009, then followed the coach to the head of the France team in 2012.
His playing career, as a midfielder in the 1970s and 1980s (Guingamp, Rennes, Le Havre, Orléans, Caen), was cut short by a car accident at the age of 29. He then turned to coaching with the same seriousness that has characterized his work for decades.
Guy Stéphan knows every player, every system of play and every tactical habit of the team. He had already led Les Bleus in Deschamps' absence in 2022 and knows exactly what it means to manage a group of this scale during a major tournament.
The stakes of France-Norway
This third match in Group I looks set to be a clash between two teams level on points. France and Norway both have six points before this meeting. In practical terms, a draw will be enough for Les Bleus to finish top of the group — but victory remains the stated objective to approach the rest of the World Cup in the best possible conditions.
Norway, led by Erling Haaland, will do everything to turn the situation around and finish first. Mbappé's teammates, who dominated Iraq (3-0) in the previous match thanks to a brace from their captain, will need to confirm their efficiency without their head coach on the bench.
The group managed calmly by the staff
According to information relayed by the FFF, the atmosphere within the France squad remains united despite the sadness linked to this news. The players have of course been informed and are supporting their coach through this personal ordeal. The message is clear: the best way to honor this moment is to perform on the pitch.
The full technical staff remains in place. Guy Stéphan will lead training and will be present in the technical area for the match on June 26. Deschamps should rejoin the group as soon as possible, probably before the round of 16 if France qualify — which, with six points already secured, seems almost certain.
A moment that will remain in the history of Les Bleus
This unprecedented situation in the middle of a World Cup highlights the human dimension of elite football. Behind the results, statistics and sporting stakes, there are people living through universal moments. Didier Deschamps, a towering figure in French football from his achievements as a player (1998 World Cup, Euro 2000) to his title as world champion coach in 2018, is going through an ordeal everyone can understand.
The way the France team responds on Friday, June 26, against Norway will be watched closely. Beyond the sporting result, this match will probably be remembered for other reasons as well.
