Guy Stephan

Guy Stéphan assumed temporary head-coach duties for France's match against Norway on 26 June 2026 after Didier Deschamps departed the team CAMP to attend his mother's funeral. The French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo approved the compassionate leave arrangement, with Stéphan, Deschamps' long-standing assistant, stepping up as the senior football figure in the dugout.

Stéphan has been Deschamps' right-hand man with France since 2012, accumulating over a decade of experience working at the highest level of international football. Before joining the national setup, he had a career in French club football both as a player (Rennes, Gueugnon) and as a manager. His continuity and institutional knowledge made him the natural candidate to deputise in Deschamps' absence.

The circumstances were unprecedented for a France squad at a major tournament. Stéphan's ability to maintain squad cohesion and tactical continuity during a period of emotional difficulty for the coaching staff will be watched closely, particularly given France's competitive ambitions at the 2026 World Cup.