The World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between France and Sweden is underway in New Jersey. This crucial knockout tie sees France, considered tournament favourites, face an underdog Sweden side that has shown resilience. The match marks the first time these two nations have met in a World Cup.
France entered the knockout stage after an unbeaten run in Group I, topping their group. Their squad, led by captain Kylian Mbappe, features a star-studded attack including Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise. Manager Didier Deschamps has made four changes to his starting lineup following their victory over Norway in the final group stage fixture. Lucas Digne, Adrien Rabiot, William Saliba, and Bradley Barcola have all returned to the starting XI.
The French starting lineup includes Mike Maignan in goal, with a defensive line of Digne, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Kounde, and Saliba. The midfield features Aurelien Tchouameni and Rabiot, supporting attackers Dembele, Olise, and Barcola, alongside Mbappe. Legendary manager Arsene Wenger is also in attendance for the match.
Sweden’s challenge and lineup changes
Sweden advanced to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams from Group F. Managed by Graham Potter, the team has adopted an underdog role, relying on disciplined defending and quick counter-attacks. Potter acknowledged the quality of France, stating his team would need to produce something special to win. He highlighted France’s history as World Cup winners and their fantastic manager.
Sweden was forced to make a change to their starting XI after Isak Hien was ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury sustained in their final group stage match against Japan. Alexander Bernhardsson was relegated to the bench, with Lucas Bergvall and Daniel Svensson stepping into midfield roles. The Swedish team features Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in goal, with a defence of Gabriel Gudmundsson, Victor Lindelof (captain), and Gustaf Lagerbielke.
The midfield comprises Elliot Stroud, Lucas Bergvall, Yasin Ayari, and Daniel Svensson. Upfront, Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Anthony Elanga lead the attack. Potter noted that the strike pairing of Isak and Gyokeres is envied by many countries, and if they align effectively, they could pose significant problems for France.
Early match dynamics
The match began with the national anthems completed, and the live action is now underway. Early in the game, Sweden has shown composure on the ball and a physical approach, with snap challenges disrupting France’s rhythm. Alexander Isak made an early run, firing a shot that was saved by the French goalkeeper. Anthony Elanga has also appeared ready to pounce when Sweden battles for possession.
France has started to dominate possession, with Ousmane Dembele making a mazy run that eventually led to a corner. Lucas Digne also attempted a long-range shot that was held by Zetterstrom. The early minutes have seen a few niggly fouls, indicating a competitive encounter. The Dutch official Danny Makkelie is the main referee for the match.
The winner of this match will potentially face Paraguay in the Round of 16. The tournament has already seen some surprises, with Germany and the Netherlands being knocked out in their respective Round of 32 matches against Paraguay and Morocco.
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Source: theguardian.com
Arjun Sharma
Sports Reporter