New York: France and Sweden clash in World Cup 2026 last 32

By Karan Malhotra — 30 June 2026 — 3 min read

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between France and Sweden is underway, with both teams vying for a spot in the next stage of the tournament. The match is being held in New York, where conditions are reportedly warm, leading to a hydration break during the first half.

France, considered one of the tournament favourites, entered the knockout stage after an impressive group campaign, topping Group I with an unbeaten record. Their manager, Didier Deschamps, has urged his players not to underestimate Sweden, acknowledging their physicality and attacking threat.

Early in the match, France demonstrated their attacking prowess. Around the 20-minute mark, Kylian Mbappe found the net, but the goal was disallowed due to a tight offside call. The review graphic shown on the big screen confirmed the decision. This incident highlighted the attacking potential Mbappe brings to the game.

Sweden’s tactical approach and early opportunities

Sweden, managed by Graham Potter, has embraced an underdog role, relying on disciplined defending and quick counter-attacks. Potter stated that his team would need to produce something special to overcome France, recognising the quality across the French squad and their past World Cup victories. He described the match as an exciting challenge that would require Sweden to play their best game.

Despite being seen as underdogs, Sweden has shown moments of promise. Around the 28-minute mark, a smart free-kick from Ayari, following a foul by Rabiot, created an opportunity for Alexander Isak, though his finish did not match the setup. Earlier, Isak also had a run that resulted in a shot through Upamecano’s legs, which was saved by the French goalkeeper.

Sweden’s starting lineup included Jacob Widell Zetterstrom in goal, with a defensive line of Gabriel Gudmundsson, Victor Lindelof (captain), and Gustaf Lagerbielke. The midfield featured Elliot Stroud, Lucas Bergvall, Yasin Ayari, and Daniel Svensson. Upfront, the strike pairing consisted of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Anthony Elanga. This lineup saw changes due to Isak Hien’s hamstring injury, which ruled him out of the tournament, and Alexander Bernhardsson being benched.

The match has seen some physical play, with Sweden adopting a robust approach and committing several early fouls, particularly on players like Olise. France has gradually started to dominate possession as the game progressed.

Key players and tournament context

France’s attack features prominent players such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise, a lineup that has caused concern for opposing teams. Mbappe had an early attempt on goal, which was collected by the Swedish keeper. Dembele also made a mazy run, and Lucas Digne had a long-range shot saved by Zetterstrom.

The match official is Dutch referee Danny Makkelie. The winner of this fixture is set to face Paraguay in the Round of 16. The tournament has already witnessed some surprises, with both Germany and the Netherlands being knocked out in their respective Round of 32 matches against Paraguay and Morocco.

Sweden’s coach, Graham Potter, noted that France possesses quality throughout their squad and has a fantastic manager. He also mentioned that the Sweden women’s team achieved a third-place finish at their last World Cup in 2023.

The national anthems were played before kickoff, marking the first time these two teams have met in a World Cup match. At the 20-minute mark, the score remained 0-0.