France Faces Sweden in World Cup Last-32 Showdown
France takes on Sweden in a potentially tricky World Cup last-32 match today. Didier Deschamps returns to the Les Bleus dugout in New Jersey after missing the 4-1 win over Norway in Group I to attend his mother's funeral.
Mbappe Chases Record
Back-to-back finalists France beat Senegal 3-1 and Iraq 3-0 in group play. Kylian Mbappe scored a brace in each fixture, taking his all-time World Cup finals tally to 16—just three behind new record-holder Lionel Messi. A hat-trick on Tuesday would make Mbappe the tournament's new record goalscorer, at least until Messi's Argentina plays Cape Verde on Friday.
France Starting XI and Team News
Mbappe leads the line for France against Graham Potter's side. Ousmane Dembele's treble against Norway proved France's attack is not reliant solely on the Real Madrid striker. Michael Olise completes a fearsome attacking trio, with Bradley Barcola replacing Desire Doue on the left wing. Marcus Thuram has a calf injury but is named on the bench.
In midfield, Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni get the nod with Manu Kone dropped. Jules Kounde retains his right-back position, with Malo Gusto as backup and Lucas Digne on the opposite flank. William Saliba has been declared fit to play. Mike Maignan, who saved a penalty last match, starts in goal.
France XI: Maignan, Digne, Upamecano, Kounde, Saliba, Tchouameni, Rabiot, Dembele, Mbappe, Olise, Barcola
Subs: Samba, Risser, Gusto, Konate, T. Hernandez, L. Hernandez, Lacroix, Kone, Kante, Zaire-Emery, Cherki, Akliouche, Thuram, Doue, Mateta
Match Details
Time and date: 10pm BST on Tuesday June 30, 2026. Venue: New York/New Jersey Stadium. How to watch: ITV.
