France Dominates Norway in FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Amid Coach's Absence
France's Impressive Victory Over Norway
France showcased their strength in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a decisive 4-1 victory against Norway. Ousmane Dembélé, the current Ballon d’Or holder, made history by scoring the second-fastest hat-trick ever recorded in World Cup play. This win marked France's third consecutive victory, securing their place in the Round of 32. Notably, head coach Didier Deschamps was absent from the match, having departed the U.S. earlier due to the unfortunate passing of his mother. The French team had sought FIFA's approval to wear black armbands in her honor, but this request was reportedly denied, leading to a challenging situation for the French Football Federation (FFF). They had initially announced a minute of silence for Deschamps' mother, only to later clarify that FIFA had already planned a tribute for victims of a recent earthquake in Venezuela, which precluded any additional commemorations. The FFF confirmed that FIFA's refusal to allow the armbands sparked significant backlash on social media.
Et l'hommage des supporters à Didier Deschamps. @franceinfo pic.twitter.com/e5xQap396q
— Julien Froment (@JulienFroment) June 26, 2026
Deschamps Expected to Rejoin Team Soon
In the meantime, Deschamps is anticipated to rejoin the squad shortly. Guy Stephan, the assistant coach who filled in during Deschamps' absence, indicated that the head coach is expected back by Saturday. 'I am constantly thinking about Didier. I will speak with him later, but we are all very happy that he will return very soon and will participate in training tomorrow afternoon,' Stephan stated during the press conference following the match against Norway. Deschamps has been leading the national team since 2012, guiding them to victory in the 2018 World Cup and a second-place finish in the 2022 tournament.