World Cup 2026: France begin knockout campaign against Sweden
World Cup 2026: France begin knockout campaign against Sweden
France begin their knockout campaign against Sweden at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, looking to maintain their unbeaten record after three consecutive group stage victories. Les Bleus are heavy favourites against the Scandinavians, but complacency could prove costly as Les Tricolores hunt for a round of 16 berth against Paraguay. Follow our liveblog to see how things unfold.
Expected lineups for France – Sweden
France: Maignan – Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne – Tchouaméni, Rabiot – Dembélé, Olise, Barcola – Mbappé (cap.)
Sweden: Zetterstrom – Gudmundsson, Lindelof (cap.), Lagerbielke – Stroud, Ayari, Bergvall, Svensson – Isak, Gyokeres, Elanga
France topped their group with an impressive unbeaten run, winning all three group matches to secure first place with maximum points. Didier Deschamps‘ side have shown attacking prowess and defensive solidity throughout the group stage, establishing themselves as one of the tournament’s elite teams heading into the knockout rounds.
Read moreWorld Cup 2026 – Fixtures and schedule
Sweden, meanwhile, claimed a place in the Round of 32 after a mixed campaign that saw them finish second in their group with 4 points from 3 matches. Gyokeres’ side showed resilience to advance but face a stern test against the tournament favorites. France are seeking to extend their winning streak and move one step closer to ultimately claiming the trophy, while Sweden will attempt to upset the odds and cause a major shock in New Jersey.