Coach Didier Deschamps Returns with France at the World Cup After Mother's Funeral
July 1, 2026 · Global
Didier Deschamps returns to coach France at the World Cup after attending his mother's funeral, ready to face Sweden in the round of 32.
France coach Didier Deschamps is back with Les Bleus for their last-32 tie against Sweden at the World Cup on Tuesday after traveling to Europe for his mother's funeral. Deschamps received news of his mother's death the day after France's victory over Iraq on June 22, which ensured the team's progress from the group stage. He was forced to miss last Friday's win over Norway. "I'm here. I'm fine, and happy to be busy again from Friday evening when I arrived back in the United States," Deschamps said through a translator on Monday. France managed to win all their group games for the first time since 1998, joining Argentina and Mexico as the only countries to win all three games. Seeking a third title after 1998 and 2018, Les Blues will face Germany or Paraguay in the last 16 if they get past Sweden. "For me, it was very difficult. And for me and the French national team, it was important for me to go. They did what they had to do," said Deschamps. "Now we are preparing for the competition within the competition." Assistant coach Guy Stéphan led the team to a 4–1 victory over Norway during Deschamps' absence. "It's quite surprising," midfielder Adrien Rabiot said through a translator. "He completely trusted us and we gave our best. We're happy he's back. I don't think it's easy to grieve in these conditions. This is football, and now we have the World Cup, and this is what it is." Deschamps led France to the title in 2018 and reached the final of the 2022 World Cup, where they lost on penalties to Argentina. Captain of the 1998 champions, Deschamps began coaching the national team in 2012 and said in January that he would retire this summer. He is trying to become the second coach to win two World Cup titles after Italy's Vittorio Pozzo in 1934 and 1938. "Didier returns with enthusiasm to go as far as possible in this World Cup. This is something that will of course help him forget a little about this tragic event," said Rabiot. "He smiles a lot. He tries to be enthusiastic, although I know that he is very affected by his sadness. I think he tries not to show it, not to transmit negativity to the squad." Report by The Associated Press.