The heartbreaking reason France boss Deschamps will not be on touchline for World Cup match

French national team coach Didier Deschamps will miss France's final World Cup Group I match against Norway to attend his mother's funeral in France.

The French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Deschamps will be absent from both training sessions and the bench for Friday's fixture, having learned of his mother's death on Tuesday morning.

Assistant coach Guy Stephan will temporarily take charge of the squad in Deschamps' absence, a decision made in agreement with FFF president Philippe Diallo.

France has already secured qualification for the knockout stage after comfortable wins against Senegal and Iraq, but still needs to secure top spot in Group I against Norway, who have also won their opening two games.

Deschamps, who captained France to World Cup victory in 1998, has had a successful 14-year reign as coach, leading the team to a World Cup triumph in 2018 and reaching two other major finals.