With a spot in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup up for grabs, France take on Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 1.
France went unbeaten in the group stage of the tournament, scoring an eye-catching 10 goals and conceding just two in their first three matches. Didier Deschamps’ men swept aside Senegal 3-1, Iraq 3-0 and Norway 4-1 to secure their title as group winners.
Sweden, meanwhile, qualified for the Round of 32 via one of the coveted third-place qualification spots, despite an inconsistent campaign in Group F. They began their World Cup campaign in scintillating fashion by trouncing Tunisia 5-1. Netherlands pulled them back to earth by inflicting a 5-1 scoreline, before Graham Potter’s side settled for a 1-1 draw with Japan.
France vs Sweden
Team News
Marcus Thuram is set to be absent for the first knockout game of France’s campaign after suffering a calf injury, but William Saliba should return to the first XI after being rested against Norway last week due to a persistent back issue.
For Sweden, Isak Hien has been ruled out of the tournament after he suffered a hamstring injury against Japan last time out. Potter has a clean bill of health otherwise.
France vs Sweden
Predicted Lineups
Predicted France lineup (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Jules Kounde, Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez; Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni; Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Desire Doue; Kylian Mbappe.
Predicted Sweden lineup (3-4-1-2): Jacob Zetterström; Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Lindelöf, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Alexander Bernhardsson, Lucas Bergvall, Yasin Ayari, Elliot Stroud; Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak.
France vs Sweden
Odds
As per Kalshi, France are overwhelming favourites to beat Sweden and progress to the round of 16. They have been given an 88% chance of winning, while Tre Kronor have a slender 12% chance of sending Les Bleus packing.
It is difficult to look past Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé. The pair are priced at 58% and 42% respectively to score. Dembélé arrives in sensational form after netting a hat-trick against Norway last week.
Michael Olise is also enjoying a fantastic debut World Cup, and the Bayern Munich star is priced at 31% to find the back of the net against Sweden. For the Scandinavian side, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres are both at 18% to get on the scoresheet, with Anthony Elanga following at 10%.
France vs Sweden
Prediction
France are the hot favourites to win the World Cup, and they arrive in New Jersey having swept through Group I with maximum points. Les Bleus have the best attacking unit in the competition, spearheaded by Mbappe. Dembele scored a hat-trick against Norway and arrives at the knockouts in sensational form alongside the Real Madrid forward, while Olise and Doue remain a constant threat out wide and in the pockets.
On the other hand, Sweden have the likes of Gyokeres, Isak and Elanga to hurt Deschamps’ side in transitions. However, it is very difficult to visualise their backline holding fort and shutting down the opponents’ free-flowing attacking talent to give themselves a chance of victory. Potter’s men are expected to put up a fight, but there is simply no looking past France here.
