Predicted lineups, stats, where to watch and previews of the last 32 clashes
France will begin their campaign to finish the World Cup on Tuesday when they will face Sweden in the Round of 32 in New York New Jersey Stadium.
Les Bleus went through Group I with a perfect record, while Sweden booked their place in the knockout stages as one of the competition’s best third-placed teams after a group stage campaign.
Didier Deschamps’ side opened with a 3-1 win over Senegal before beating Iraq 3-0 and ending their group campaign with a 4-1 win over Norway.
France scored 10 goals in their three group games, an average of 3.33 per game, and conceded just twice.
Sweden’s path to the Round of 32 is far from satisfactory.
Graham Potter’s side started their campaign with a win over Tunisia before losing 5-1 to the Netherlands. A 1-1 draw with Japan in their final group game proved enough to earn them qualification as one of the best third-placed teams.
The Swedes have shown flashes of attacking quality with the likes of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres and Anthony Elanga, but defensive concerns remain a major concern after conceding seven goals in three games.
Despite those challenges, Sweden can take encouragement from its record of competing against exceptional opposition. Three of their last four defeats against France have been by one point, and they have enough attacking talent to trouble any defence.
France vs Sweden team news
France are expected to welcome back William Saliba after the Arsenal defender was sidelined against Norway with a minor back problem.
Dayot Upamecano should partner him in central defence, while Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot are likely to continue in midfield.
Mbappe will lead the attack, supported by Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue.
Sweden have defensive concerns after Isak Hien was injured during their draw with Japan.
So Victor Lindelof may drop back into the defensive line, allowing Lucas Bergvall to continue with Yasin Ayari in midfield.
Elanga, Isak and Gyokeres are all expected to start in the attacking game.
Expected matches of France vs Sweden
France starting XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue; Mbappe
Sweden starting XI: Zetterstrom; Lagerbielke, Lindelof, Gudmundsson; Bernhardsson, Bergvall, Ayari, Stroud; Elanga, Gyokeres, Isak
Where to watch France vs Sweden: TV channel, live streaming online
The game will be held on Tuesday, June 30 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford. Kick-off is at 22:00 BST.
In the UK, the show will be shown on ITV1. Fans can also stream the proceedings on ITX.
France vs Sweden statistics
- France finished top of Group I with a total of nine points from three games.
- Les Bleus scored 10 goals and conceded only two in the group stage.
- France won all three group games by a score of 10-2.
- Ousmane Dembele scored a hat-trick as they beat Norway 4-1.
- Kylian Mbappe has scored in all three group stage games.
- France has reached at least the final in each of the last two World Cups.
- Sweden qualified as one of the eight third-placed teams.
- The Swedes scored seven goals and conceded seven in the group stage.
- Sweden lost 5-1 against the Netherlands, which is the most difficult task of all teams to reach the knockout rounds.
- Anthony Elanga, Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres all contributed goals during the tournament.
- France have won four of the last five meetings between the countries.
- Sweden have lost four of their last five games against France, and three of those games came by one goal.
Prediction for France vs Sweden
Sweden have enough attacking quality to cause problems, especially with Isak, Gyokeres and Elanga, but France looked one of the most complete teams in the tournament.
With Mbappe, Dembele and Olise all in excellent form, Les Bleus should create plenty of chances and have the firepower needed to secure their place in the Round of 16.
Prediction: France 3-1 Sweden
