Real Madrid and France midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni says the whole team is fired up to make head coach Didier Deschamps proud. They are getting ready for their final 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I match against Norway, but Deschamps won’t be there. He has led the team for 14 years.
Deschamps returned to France earlier this week after hearing about his mother’s death. He will miss Friday’s game at Gillette Stadium as he attends her funeral. He is expected to rejoin the team in the U.S. on Saturday.
Speaking from France’s training camp near Boston on Thursday, Tchouaméni said the team was really shaken by the sad news. But he added that the players were focused on giving a performance that would make their coach proud.
“It is a difficult time for everyone. Our objective is to make him as proud as possible,” Aurélien Tchouaméni said.
Team’s Support for Deschamps
Assistant coach Guy Stéphan, who will manage the team against Norway, also showed support for Deschamps and his family during this tough time.
“I am thinking a lot about Didier and his family. We are deeply affected by what has happened,” Stéphan said.
“I am just trying to make a difficult situation as normal as possible.”
The 69-year-old shared that Deschamps told him about the family tragedy on Tuesday morning. This was just hours after France won a comfortable 3-0 victory over Iraq in Philadelphia. That win secured their place in the Round of 32 with two wins from two matches.
“Didier called me early in the morning so I went to see him in his room,” Stéphan explained.
“He told me the bad news and very quickly he asked me to lead the team until he gets back, which will be on Saturday.”
Stéphan Takes Charge
Stéphan is used to stepping up during tough times. He also took charge of France during a 2022 UEFA Nations League match after Deschamps’ father passed away.
“I feel like I don’t belong here in front of you. I belong on the training ground,” he added.
“This is a cruel situation for Didier and his family, so we need to just get through the third match.”
France and Norway have both qualified for the knockout rounds after winning their first two matches. They are tied on six points. But Les Bleus have a better goal difference and only need a draw on Friday to finish as Group I winners.
The group winners will face one of the best third-placed teams in the Round of 32 in New Jersey on June 30. The runners-up will take on the second-placed team from Group E in Dallas on the same day.
France will be without William Saliba, as the Arsenal defender is out with a back injury. Stéphan confirmed that Maxence Lacroix of Crystal Palace is expected to take his place in the starting line-up. The former world champions aim to keep their perfect record as they head into the knockout phase.
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