France vs Sweden: World Cup Round of 32 – Mbappe, prediction, team lineups

Kylian Mbappe’s France, the title favourites for the 2026 World Cup, take on Alexander Isak’s Sweden in the last 32.

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Unbeaten France roll into the knockouts with an all-European round of 32 clash against Sweden on Tuesday.

Firm favourites to lift the title in North America, France were unstoppable in the group stage, thanks to the impact of their dynamic forward duo, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Sweden’s path to the playoffs has been far less convincing – they squeezed in as one of the eight best third-placed teams.

France were one of only three teams – alongside cohosts Mexico and reigning champions Argentina – to maintain a 100 percent record in the group stage. Les Blues won all of their group matches at a major tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup, when they won the trophy on home soil.

France topped Group I, beating Senegal 3-1 in the first game and Iraq 3-0 in the second. The French side wrapped up its group campaign with a 4-1 thrashing of Norway.

Of the 10 goals France scored in three games, the majestic Mbappe and dazzling Dembele bagged four each, while Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue also netted one apiece. Bayern Munich star midfielder Michael Olise registered three assists.

France’s glittering attack makes them the overwhelming favourite in this clash, but coach Didier Deschamps urged his side to be wary of Sweden, who are under no pressure.

“Sweden are not playing for their survival. Obviously, they will do everything to win the game, but they have nothing to lose,” Deschamps told reporters on Monday.

“We need to stay humble, maintain our determination and concentration. In the group stage, winning the first game gave us some margin for error, but now we have no second chances.”

France came into the World Cup as one of the leading contenders to win the trophy, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final. They were impressive in the group stage, at least after a shaky first half in their opening game against Senegal.

Sweden advanced as one of the eight best third-placed sides, finishing with four points in Group F, behind the Netherlands and Japan. Back at the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition, Sweden started their tournament with a 5-1 thrashing of Tunisia.

But their campaign stuttered thereafter: Five days later, they suffered a brutal 5-1 defeat to the Dutch and then drew 1-1 with Japan in the final match day on June 25.

Of the seven goals Sweden scored, Anthony Elan