Overview
- Didier Deschamps left the U.S. to attend his mother's funeral and rejoined the France squad in Boston on Saturday, re-entering training with the team ahead of the knockout stage.
- Assistant coach Guy Stéphan ran the side during Deschamps' absence and France completed the group stage with a 4-1 win over Norway under his stewardship.
- Foot Mercato reported that FIFA denied permission for France to wear a black armband in tribute to Deschamps' mother, a claim that has prompted criticism and remains reported rather than independently confirmed by FIFA.
- Families and close friends were given private access to the squad to offer condolences, the French Football Federation publicly backed the coach, and the team plans to fly from Boston to New York before the round-of-16 match in East Rutherford.
- The episode highlights how tightly FIFA regulates kit and on-field gestures and could increase scrutiny of the organization's rules and decision-making during the tournament, with observers likely to watch for any official clarification from FIFA.