Didier Deschamps — the man who guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and to the final four years later — was absent from the technical area for Les Bleus' final group-stage match at FIFA World Cup 2026, after travelling home to attend his mother's funeral.

"At this incredibly painful time, we wish the head coach great strength and assure him of everyone's support," the French Football Federation (FFF) said in a statement on Tuesday.

In his place stood Guy Stephan, Deschamps' long-time assistant and closest ally on the touchline, who took temporary charge of Les Bleus.

A touching gesture before kick-off

Before the Group I decider at Gillette Stadium in Boston, Norway head coach Stale Solbakken handed Stephan a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the Norwegian staff — a mark of respect for a man navigating a difficult moment with quiet dignity.

Who is Guy Stephan?

At 69 years old, Stephan is 12 years Deschamps' senior. He played as a striker for clubs including Guingamp, Rennes, Le Havre, and Orleans between 1976 and 1985, before his playing career was cut short by a car accident — his final club being Caen in 1987.

He moved into coaching and was assistant manager to Roger Lemerre when France lifted the European Championship trophy in Rotterdam in 2000. He later took the top job at Annecy, Lyon, and Bordeaux, before being appointed Senegal head coach following their famous upset victory over France at the 2002 World Cup.

His partnership with Deschamps began in 2009, when the former France captain returned to management and took charge of Marseille after Eric Gerets departed for Saudi Arabia. Stephan joined as his assistant, and the two have been inseparable ever since — through two World Cup finals, one title, and a European Championship final in 2016.

In total, the pair have worked together for 17 years, a bond forged through shared success and the discipline to rebuild after France's turbulent FIFA World Cup 2010 campaign in South Africa.

"We understand each other. We don't even need to speak anymore. A glance is enough when we're out on the pitch or at a training session; if something needs changing or tweaking, we just look at each other and — boom — it's as if we'd actually spoken."

Stephan shared those words with The Athletic this week, capturing a partnership built on instinct as much as experience.

Dembele delivers in Boston

With Stephan in the dugout, France were clinical in the first half against Norway. Ousmane Dembele lit up Gillette Stadium with a stunning hat-trick, driving Les Bleus into a 3-1 lead before the break.

Stephan's son, Julien, has also made his mark in football — currently serving as head coach of Championship side Queens Park Rangers, a role he has held for just over a year, following previous stints at Rennes and Strasbourg.