France come into their round of 32 knockout clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as favorites to beat Sweden when they battle it out early Wednesday morning in New Jersey.
Didier Deschamps’ side have had a perfect run in the World Cup so far, winning all of their games to top Group I, scoring 10 goals and conceding just two in that run.
They face a Sweden side who finished third in Group F with four points. They demolished Tunisia 5-1 in their opening game, before losing to Netherlands by the same score.
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France, two-time winners of the World Cup in 1998 and 2018, are favorites to win here and qualify for the next round where they face either Germany or Paraguay.
France are also on the verge of equaling history if they can go all the way here – becoming just the third team to make it to three consecutive World Cup finals. Les Bleus lost the 2022 World Cup final to Argentina on penalties.
Sweden failed to qualify for the 2022 edition of the global showpiece, with their last appearance ending at the quarterfinal stage in 2018. With only one win so far in the tournament, they will need to be at their best if they are to make it past the round of 32.
Both teams have scored in every match they have played in this World Cup and the same can be expected here, however the French are expected to carry the day unless an upset is in store.
Here we have a look at both teams ahead of the game and offer our predicted outcome.
Betway
What time does France vs Sweden start?
The match kicks off at 12AM E.A.T at the MetLife Stadium
France vs Sweden team news
There are little to no changes expected from Deschamps as he fields his strongest available XI for the knockout clash.
Mike Maignan will retain his spot in goal with William Saliba expected to be cleared despite a minor back issue. Maxence Lacroix started the last game against Norway but is expected to settle for a place on the bench here.
Adrien Rabuot is also expected to return to the starting XI after being rested in the last game. This means Manu Kone will start on the sidelines.
Ousmane Dembele scored a first half hat-trick against Norway and will start, as well as Michael Olise, with Kylian Mbappe leading the attacking line for the French.
The Swedes will maintain their front two of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres as they search for a second win in the competition.
Anthony Elanga got the equalizing goal against Japan and will start here as well. This will only be his second start at the World Cup.
There are no changes expected from the Swedish team.
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France vs Sweden head-to-head and current form
Les Bleus have won four of their last five matches, losing just once to Ivory Coast in a pre-tournament friendly. They come into the game looking to make it five in five.
Sweden on the other hand, have only won one of their last five matches – making this an uphill task for the underdogs. Their defense has also been porous in that run, conceding 12 goals.
France were 4-2 winners the last time these sides met in the 2020 UEFA Nations League and have only lost to Sweden once in their last five head-to-head encounters.
Current form:
France – WWWWL
Sweden – DLWDL
France vs Sweden previous games
- France 4-2 Sweden (November 17, 2020)
- Sweden 0-1 France (September 5, 2020)
- Sweden 2-1 France (June 9, 2017)
- France 2-1 Sweden (November 11, 2016)
- France 1-0 Sweden (November 18, 2014)
Betway
France vs Sweden prediction
France have been among the standout teams of the tournament and should control possession and create the better chances throughout the encounter.
They have also averaged more than three goals per game in this World Cup, while Sweden have shown they can both score and concede. Anything is possible especially in a knockout game, but it is unlikely that Sweden can get a win here.
Prediction – France to win
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