Kylian Mbappe will look to add to his four World Cup goals when France take on Sweden in the round of 32 on Tuesday night, with Les Bleus in red-hot form after scoring three or more in each of their group-stage wins. Didier Deschamps’s side swept aside Senegal, Iraq and Norway, earning the tag of tournament favourites – but the manager himself has had to overcome personal tragedy to be on the touchline, having briefly returned to France for his mother’s funeral.
Sweden, coached by Graham Potter, squeezed through the group stage as one of the eight best third-placed teams and arrive as massive underdogs. They will need to pull off the shock of the tournament to deny France a place in the last 16, where the winner will face Paraguay after their penalty-shootout upset of Germany. That match is scheduled for Saturday 4 July in Philadelphia.
“France face Sweden in World Cup last-32; Kylian Mbappe chases golden boot after scoring four in group stage.”
Deschamps is expected to recall William Saliba, who was rested against Norway after reportedly struggling with a back issue, to partner Dayot Upamecano in central defence. The full predicted France XI runs: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue; Mbappe. Sweden’s only injury concern is Isak Hien, forcing Victor Lindelof to drop from midfield into defence. Their expected lineup: Zetterstrom; Lagerbielke, Lindelof, Gudmundsson; Bernhardsson, Bergvall, Ayari, Stroud; Elanga, Gyokeres, Isak.
Kick-off is at 10pm BST (5pm ET) on Tuesday 30 June at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. UK viewers can watch on ITV1 or STV, with streaming on ITV X and STV Player. France’s momentum and Mbappe’s golden-boot pursuit make them clear favourites to advance, but Sweden will hope to write an unlikely chapter in a tournament already full of surprises.