France face Sweden at New York New Jersey Stadium on Tuesday evening in the World Cup last 32, beginning their knockout campaign as overwhelming favourites.
Didier Deschamps’ side topped Group I with maximum points, scoring ten goals and conceding just two across victories over Senegal, Iraq and Norway. The two-time world champions, with Deschamps confirmed to be stepping down at the end of the tournament, are widely regarded as genuine contenders for the trophy this summer.
France team news
William Saliba is expected to return to the starting lineup. The Arsenal centre-back was rested against Norway as a precautionary measure for a back issue that has affected him throughout the closing stages of the club season, but Deschamps has no concerns about his availability for the knockout stage.
Saliba’s reintroduction restores France’s first-choice centre-back pairing alongside Dayot Upamecano, considered by some within the squad to be the strongest defensive partnership available to Deschamps this summer.
Deschamps has no other injury concerns to manage. Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot continue as the double pivot that has controlled tempo throughout the group stage, screening the back four and allowing the more advanced players freedom to operate.
Michael Olise and Desire Doue provide width and creativity around Ousmane Dembele, who scored a hat-trick against Norway and arrives at the knockouts as one of the tournament’s most in-form attackers. Kylian Mbappe leads the line, having scored four goals in the group stage. Jules Kounde and Theo Hernandez complete the back four, with Mike Maignan continuing in goal.
France predicted lineup
France possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue; Mbappe
When will the match kick off?
The FIFA World Cup last-32 match kicks off at 22:00 BST on Tuesday, 30 June 2026.
How to watch France vs Sweden?
The match will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX in the UK.
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