France Face Sweden as World Cup Knockout Stage Begins – Softfootball

France start their FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout journey on Tuesday after they face Sweden within the Spherical of 32 at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Les Bleus head into the conflict filled with confidence after ending high of Group I with an ideal file, successful all three matches whereas scoring 10 targets and conceding simply twice.

Didier Deschamps’ aspect sealed first place with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Norway, as Ousmane Dembélé stole the headlines with an outstanding hat-trick, highlighting France’s attacking depth alongside captain Kylian Mbappé.

France are among the many favourites to raise the World Cup trophy, and one other victory would see them transfer one step nearer to the ultimate 16.

Sweden, in the meantime, progressed as one of many match’s eight finest third-placed groups after accumulating 4 factors in Group F. Graham Potter’s males defeated Tunisia, suffered a heavy 5-1 loss to the Netherlands and drew 1-1 with Japan to safe qualification.

The Swedes have scored seven targets and conceded seven of their three group-stage matches, however they now face their hardest problem but towards one of many match’s strongest sides.

Group Information

France centre-back William Saliba was rested towards Norway, with the Arsenal defender reportedly fighting a again problem, however he’ll need to play by means of the ache and assist his aspect advance into the spherical of 16.

Mbappe will hope to attain his fifth objective of the match, and the Actual Madrid star can be supported by a trio of Michael Olise, Dembele and Need Doue.

Sweden’s Anthony Elanga scored from vary towards Japan, and whereas he could discover it troublesome to copy such a strike, his immense tempo might nonetheless be a priceless asset on Tuesday towards France’s defence.

Doable Lineups

France attainable beginning lineup:

Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue; Mbappe

Sweden attainable beginning lineup:

Zetterstrom; Lagerbielke, Lindelof, Gudmundsson; Bernhardsson, Bergvall, Ayari, Stroud; Elanga, Gyokeres, Isak

The way to Watch

Match predictions

Softfootball predicts France 3-1 Sweden