Football has a habit of reminding us that there are things far more important than the game itself, and this is one of those moments. Didier Deschamps will miss France's final World Cup group stage fixture after the death of his mother, with the French Football Federation confirming the sad news. It goes without saying that the thoughts of everyone in football will be with Deschamps and his family right now.
Deschamps has been one of the most respected figures in the game for decades, first as a World Cup winning captain with France back in 1998 and then as the man who guided Les Bleus to that same trophy again in 2018. He has dedicated a huge part of his life to French football, so to see him step away from the dugout under these circumstances puts everything into perspective pretty quickly.
From a purely footballing point of view, France will need to manage without their head coach for what is still a meaningful match, and whoever steps in to take charge on the touchline will have some big shoes to fill even temporarily. France have enough quality in their squad to handle most situations, but the absence of the manager who knows this group better than anyone is never ideal, whatever the circumstances.
Still, nobody should be talking too much about tactics or team selection right now. A man has lost his mother, and that is the only story worth telling here. The football will take care of itself. France are packed with world class players who know what they are doing, and they will want to put on a performance that does their manager proud while he takes the time he needs to be with his family.
Deschamps has given everything to French football over the years and he deserves nothing but respect and support during what must be an incredibly difficult time. The game will be waiting for him when he is ready to return, and something tells you he will come back with that same quiet determination he has always had. Football is lucky to have people like him involved in it.
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