As group winner, France will face Sweden on June 30 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

France manager Didier Deschamps will rejoin his squad in Boston on Saturday after returning to France to attend his mother’s funeral, following Les Bleus’ 4-1 victory over Norway on Friday.

Assistant coach Guy Stephan took charge in Deschamps’ absence as France sealed top spot in Group I with a perfect nine-point haul.

“I have big thoughts for Didier. We are happy that he comes back,” Stephan said after the match. “He will be with us tomorrow at training. Our duo will be reunited and we will get ready for the big games coming up.”

Deschamps will have a few days to settle back with the squad before France faces Sweden in the round of 32 on June 30 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

France, the bookmakers’ favourite to lift the World Cup, completed the group stage with three wins from three for the first time since 1998, scoring 10 goals and conceding only two.

The 57-year-old has managed the French national team since 2012. He guided Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup title and the 2022 final, where they lost to Argentina on penalties.

As a player, Deschamps captained France to its maiden World Cup triumph on home soil in 1998 and retired from international football in 2000 with a then-national record of 103 caps.

Published on Jun 27, 2026