France head coach Didier Deschamps has rejoined the national team’s training camp in Boston after returning to France to attend his mother’s funeral during the ongoing World Cup.
The French Football Federation confirmed on Saturday that Deschamps had resumed his duties with the squad after a brief absence prompted by a family bereavement. His return comes as France prepare for the knockout stage of the tournament following an impressive conclusion to the group phase.
Deschamps left the team’s training base in the United States on Tuesday after the death of his mother. He travelled to France to be with his family and attended her funeral on Friday before making the journey back to the United States.
His departure came at a crucial point in the competition, with France still having to complete their final Group I fixture. During his absence, assistant coach Guy Stéphan assumed responsibility for the team on the touchline.
Despite the absence of their head coach, France produced a commanding display against Norway, recording a convincing 4-1 victory. The result secured top spot in Group I and ensured the team progressed to the next round with confidence.
Ousmane Dembélé was the star of the match, scoring a hat-trick in a dominant attacking performance that proved decisive against the Norwegians. France controlled much of the contest and comfortably sealed qualification for the knockout phase.
With Deschamps now back in charge, the team’s focus has shifted entirely to preparations for the next stage of the tournament. He was expected to oversee Saturday’s training session at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where the French squad has been based during the competition.
The return of the experienced coach restores the team’s full coaching structure ahead of what promises to be a demanding knockout campaign. While assistant coach Guy Stéphan successfully guided the side during Deschamps’ absence, the head coach’s presence is expected to provide continuity as France prepare for their next challenge.
France will face Sweden in the next round on Wednesday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3:00 am Bangladesh time at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Having finished top of their group with an emphatic victory over Norway, France will enter the fixture carrying considerable momentum. The performance against Norway highlighted the squad’s attacking quality, while Dembélé’s clinical finishing offered another boost ahead of the knockout stages.
Deschamps’ swift return following his mother’s funeral ensures that he will once again lead preparations from the training ground and the touchline as France continue their quest for World Cup success. The team will now look to build on its strong group-stage form when it takes on Sweden in a match that will determine its place in the next phase of the competition.