France’s key defender William Saliba has been declared fit to return against Sweden in Tuesday night’s World Cup round-of-32 tie, after a back issue forced him to sit out the final group game against Norway. Kick-off at the New York/New Jersey Stadium is set for 10pm BST, with the winners earning a last-16 meeting with Paraguay – the side that stunned Germany on penalties in one of the tournament’s early upsets.
Les Bleus, favourites to lift a third star in North America, have cruised through Group C with comfortable wins over Senegal, Iraq and Norway. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have been the standout performers, while Saliba’s return bolsters a defence that has yet to concede more than once in a match. Manager Didier Deschamps will be expected to name the Arsenal centre-back in his starting XI after resting him against Norway.
“William Saliba returns from a back injury as France face Sweden in the World Cup last 32, with Paraguay awaiting the winner after eliminating Germany.”
Sweden, meanwhile, have been erratic under Graham Potter. They opened with a thumping 5-1 victory over Tunisia, only to suffer a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands in a baffling turnaround. A draw with Japan secured their place in the knockout stage, but Potter’s side will need to produce their best form to contain a French attack that has looked unstoppable so far.
The last 32 has already served up a major shock – Paraguay’s penalty shootout win over Germany – and Sweden will hope to conjure a similar surprise. But France enter the match as overwhelming favourites, with their blend of attacking firepower and now a fully fit defence making them a formidable opponent.
For viewers in the UK, the game is being broadcast on ITV1, with streaming available via ITV X. Scottish fans can also watch on STV and the STV Player. The match will be played at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
With Paraguay waiting in the wings, Tuesday’s clash promises high stakes: France seek to continue their march toward the final, while Sweden aim to prove that their erratic group stage was merely a prelude to something greater.