Didier Deschamps absent as France coach for World Cup 2026 group clash

France’s head coach Didier Deschamps will miss the final Group I match of the 2026 World Cup against Norway after his mother’s death. Assistant coach Guy Stephan will take charge on the bench as Les Bleus, currently tied on points with Norway, aim to secure the top spot in the group. Kylian Mbappé has already scored four goals in two games, keeping France in a strong position for the knockout stage.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese goalkeeper Nguyễn Filip, who previously served as the third‑choice keeper for the Czech Republic, reflected on his career while following the Czech team’s World Cup campaign. Filip recounted how a shoulder injury in 2021 kept him out of a qualifier against Belgium—a decision that later allowed him to represent Vietnam under FIFA eligibility rules. He now watches Czech matches with his family and comments on the team’s collective spirit and goalkeeping development.