Fifa denies French request for memorial armbands before World Cup match

Fifa has declined a request from the French national football team to wear black armbands in memory of the mother of head coach Didier Deschamps. The decision was issued ahead of France's Group I match against Norway during the World Cup tournament.

Deschamps is expected to miss the upcoming fixture following a death in his family and departed for his home country several days prior to the game. According to reporting from both The Sun and Indian Express, the French squad sought permission for the armbands as a tribute to the coach's late mother, but officials did not grant the request for use during the tournament match.

The upcoming match against Norway is considered by some reports as a significant decider in the current group stage. While the team had planned to display symbols of mourning on their sleeves, the governing body maintained standard protocols regarding attire and tribute items. The decision leaves the squad without the specific memorial gesture they requested before the start of their next match.