France meet Sweden in a blockbuster all-European tie at the Round of 32 stage in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
France qualified for this tie as Group I winners, whilst Sweden finished third in Group F and found themselves through as the second-best third-placed team.
Team News
William Saliba could return for France after he missed their 4-1 victory over Norway with a back injury.
Marcus Thuram is a doubt with a calf injury.
Sweden will be without Isak Hien for the remainder of the tournament after the defender suffered a hamstring injury during their 1-1 draw against Sweden.
When is Kick-Off?
France face Sweden at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, USA, on Tuesday 30 June at 5pm EDT (10pm BST), live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is France’s first meeting against Sweden at the main edition of the World Cup, but lost two of four previous clashes against the Swedes in the UEFA Qualifying Stage of this competition (W3, D1, L2).
- Sweden are unbeaten against France in major summer tournaments across all competitions – having drawn 1-1 at Euro 1992 then won 2-0 at Euro 2012.
- Eight of France’s 10 goals in Group I were scored by Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe – with the pair having scored four goals apiece.
- Sweden are yet to keep a clean sheet at this tournament (W1, D1, L1).
Prediction
With confidence high and having escaped Group I unbeaten after a ruthlessly dominant display against Norway, France will be relishing this clash because they’re favourites and it is hard to see how they can be stopped on current form if they turn up with the same clinical attitude.
Sweden meanwhile are a tricky team to read given the contrasts in their three group-stage performances because they battered Tunisia then struggled with Netherlands’ intense press, before they scrapped their way to a draw against Japan in a see-saw battle.
I however do think that France realistically will have too much quality and this could end up one-sided.
Prediction: France 3-1 Sweden
Result: France 3-0 Sweden
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