France's World Cup group final against Norway will be played on Friday evening (local time in Sweden) in Foxborough, outside Boston. But the French national team coach will not be there, the French Football Federation announced.
"In this extremely painful moment, we expect each of you to show the greatest possible respect," the federation writes, according to L'Équipe, and announces that Deschamps was informed of his mother's death on Tuesday morning.
Before and during Friday's match, France will be coached by his assistant coach, Guy Stéphan.
France has started the World Cup with two straight victories, 3–1 against Senegal and 3–0 against Iraq. Norway has also won both of its opening matches.
