France vs Sweden: World Cup 2026 Match Preview

As the World Cup 2026 progresses, France is set to clash with Sweden in the Round of 16. France enters this match with an impressive record, having won all three of their group stage matches against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway, finishing at the top of Group I. This marks the first time since the 1998 World Cup that Les Bleus have completed the group stage with a perfect record.

Head coach Didier Deschamps, who captained France to victory in 1998, is looking to lead his team to another successful campaign. The French squad is known for its explosive offense, having scored at least three goals in their last four World Cup matches. They are on the verge of setting a new record for consecutive matches with three or more goals, a feat never achieved in World Cup history.

Key players for France include Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, both of whom have scored four goals in the tournament so far. Dembele notably scored a hat trick against Norway in the final group match. The synergy between Mbappe and Dembele has been remarkable, with the duo creating five goals for each other since the 2022 World Cup, the highest for any pair of players in World Cup history since 1966.

In addition to Mbappe and Dembele, players like Michael Olise and Desire Doue provide further attacking options, making France one of the top contenders for the championship. Under Deschamps, France has a strong record in knockout matches, having won 15 out of 18 since 1998, with their only defeats coming against Italy in 2006, Germany in 2014, and Argentina in 2022.

On the other hand, Sweden, coached by Graham Potter, should not be underestimated. They finished third in Group F but advanced to the knockout stage due to their strong performance. Viktor Gyokeres is a key player for Sweden, leading the team in shots and chances created during the group stage. Anthony Elanga has also been in great form, scoring in consecutive matches against the Netherlands and Japan. If he finds the net against France, he will join an elite group of Swedish players who have scored in three consecutive World Cup matches.

Historically, France and Sweden have faced each other 23 times, with France winning 12 matches, Sweden winning 6, and 5 ending in draws. However, this will be only their third encounter in a major tournament, and the first at the World Cup. In previous meetings at the UEFA European Championship, Sweden has had the upper hand with a draw in 1992 and a victory in 2012.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 4:00 AM on July 1, 2026, Vietnam time, and predictions are leaning towards a score of France 3, Sweden 1.