Didier Deschamps Returns to France Camp After Family Loss During FIFA World Cup

Deschamps Back with the Team

Massachusetts, USA - On June 27, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed that Didier Deschamps has rejoined the national team camp at the ongoing FIFA World Cup after a brief absence due to the passing of his mother. Deschamps had to miss the final group stage match against Norway, where assistant coach Guy Stephan took over his duties while he attended the funeral.

The federation communicated to the media, stating, "Didier is with us." Deschamps has played a crucial role in the French national team, leading them to victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and a second-place finish against Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi.

Currently based in Boston, France is set to face Sweden on Tuesday in their round of 32 match in New Jersey.

In addition to his World Cup successes, Deschamps also led France to win the UEFA Nations League title in the 2020-21 season and secured third place in the 2024-25 edition.

France showcased their strength in the group stage, highlighted by Ousmane Dembele's remarkable hat-trick and Kylian Mbappe's assists, resulting in a 4-1 victory over Norway. This win marked a significant achievement as it was the first time since the 1998 FIFA World Cup that France won all three group matches in a major tournament.

The 1998 World Cup was particularly memorable for France, as they clinched their first title by defeating Brazil. This clean sweep in the group stage signals to the world that France is poised to aim for a third star on their jersey.

According to Opta Analyst, the combination of Dembele and Mbappe is only the third duo in FIFA World Cup history to collaborate for five goals in a single tournament, with Mbappe assisting Dembele twice during the match against Norway. Previous pairs to achieve this include Poland's Andrzej Szarmach and Grzegorz Lato, as well as Germany's Miroslav Klose and Michael Ballack.

France has consistently scored three goals in each of their last FIFA World Cup matches, matching the longest streak of any team achieving this feat, a record last seen with Spain from 1998 to 2002.

Dembele made history by becoming the first player to score a first-half hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup since Oleg Salenko in 1994. His hat-trick against Norway was completed just 32 minutes into the match, making it the second-fastest in World Cup history, following Erich Probst's hat-trick for Austria in 1954.

Dembele is now among the elite group of French players to have scored a World Cup hat-trick, joining the ranks of Just Fontaine and Kylian Mbappe. Notably, his hat-trick goal was the first of the 182 scored in this World Cup to involve all 11 players in the build-up.