France continue their bid for a third star on their jersey, as they take on Sweden in the World Cup 2026 round of 32.
France, favourites to go all the way in North America, are naturally expected to get past an inconsistent Sweden in New Jersey, but the last 32 has already thrown up shocks. One such upset saw Paraguay eliminate Germany on penalties, and so it will be the South American side who await today’s winners.
France enter the game having comfortably overcome Senegal, Iraq and Norway, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele shining along the way. And although key defender William Saliba was rested against Norway due to a back issue, he is expected to return here.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s opening 5-1 win over Tunisia gave way to a 5-1 loss to Netherlands in a curious turn of events, before a draw with Japan got Graham Potter’s side safely through to the knockouts.
Follow all the action from the World Cup last-32 game, below:
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France v Sweden
- Favourites France play Sweden in World Cup round of 32 | Live on ITV1
- Paraguay await in last 16 after upsetting Germany on penalties
- 53' GOAL! Bracola produces a sublime finish after great work from Olise [FRA 2-0 SWE]
- 45' GOAL! Mbappe cuts inside and curls home opener [FRA 1-0 SWE]
- 36' POST! Olise's stunning scissor kick crashes back off the upright [FRA 0-0 SWE]
- 32' POST! Mbappe thumps the woodwork with low strike [FRA 0-0 SWE]
Deschamps' depth
23:14 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyDidier Deschamps brought Bradley Barcola in for Desire Doue today. It is a nice choice to have. It feels as though he made the right one. That was a brilliant goal.
GOAL! France 2-0 Sweden (Barcola, 53)
23:13 , Alan SmithOne more time ...
This is beautiful. Tchouameni collects a loose ball in midifeld and swiftly passes to Olise. France’s creator-in-chief shimmies and shuffles, waits for the perfect pass and nutmegs Lagerbielke to find Barcola. His finish is exquisite too.
Now, with a two-goal cushion are they about to have some fun?
France 1-0 Sweden
23:09 , Alan Smith50’ - It’s been a tame start to the second half. Tchouameni fires harmlessly over far out.
Restarted! France 1-0 Sweden
23:04 , Alan SmithWe’re playing again. No changes for either side.
More Mbappe magic
22:55 , Alan Smith9 - Kylian Mbappé has scored nine goals in nine knockout stage games at the FIFA World Cup - now the most of any player in these rounds, overtaking Leônidas and Ronaldo (both 8).
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2026
Occasion. pic.twitter.com/R1bqpA2xUI
First half of two halves
22:51 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyMiroslav Klose started this tournament the top scorer ever in World Cups. Now he is down to third. Kylian Mbappe is up to 17, past him and two behind Lionel Messi.
A first half of two halves. In the second part of it, France were simply brilliant. Sweden can be relieved they only trail by one goal.
Half-time! France 1-0 Sweden
22:50 , Alan SmithFrance felt their way into it but were irresistible from the hydration break onwards.
France 1-0 Sweden
22:49 , Alan Smith47’ - Mbappe races towards Deschamps to celebrate. A pointed decision. And the rest of France’s players soon follow to embrace as One More Time blares out.
Sweden seek to attack straight from the restart and Elanga is convinced he should have a penalty having been taken down by Digne. It is a foul - except Bergvall was offside in the build-up. That is a let off for France.
There were three minutes added on. One remains but there may be more considering the goal celebrations.
GOAL! France 1-0 Sweden (Mbappe 45)
22:46 , Alan SmithDembele takes it short to Olise. He gives it back and then Dembele plays low to Mbappe just inside the left side of the box. For some reason he is being tracked by Gyokeres so Mbappe shuffles in with ease, purchases enough space to shoot and makes no mistake.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:45 , Alan Smith45’ - Olise is purring. After a swift exchange of passes he shoots and Zetterstrom saves well, giving away a corner. From which...
France 0-0 Sweden
22:42 , Alan Smith42’ - Olise swerves a left-footed strike from a yard beyond the ‘D’ a touch wide. Sweden could do with half-time.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:40 , Alan Smith40’ - Mbappe shifts inside Lagerbielke and fizzes a low shot on target. Zetterstrom gets behind it.
Breakthrough coming
22:40 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyNow France are turning up the speed, going through the gears. It feels like a breakthrough is coming.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:38 , Alan Smith38’ - Olise is on the receiving end of a sore one with Lindelof overly committing to a challenge, planting his studs on the France forward’s shin. It’s clumsy more than naughty and a free kick is given.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:37 , Alan Smith36’ - Olise goes close with a remarkable bicycle kick from just inside the box after the ball deflects towards him. It’s not too far from an amazing opener, coming back off the upright, and Dembele then side-foots the rebound narrowly wide.
Straight up the other end Isak drags a shot wide.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:35 , Alan Smith34’ - Celeb watch is underway and I think they’ve just shown Olivia Rodrigo hiding behind sunglasses. Can someone, er, prove the antidote for Sweden here?
France 0-0 Sweden
22:33 , Alan Smith33’ - Rabiot flashes over from improbable range.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:33 , Alan Smith32’ - And from that corner Kounde eventually picks out Mbappe alone in the box only for the captain’s shot to ping back off the post. He normally puts those ones away but France are getting closer and closer to an opener.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:31 , Alan Smith31 ‘ - Good stop Zetterstrom. Rabiot is sent through by Mbappe and his low shot is stopped by Sweden’s goalkeeper. Olise takes the subsequent corner and Sweden clear for a moment before France recycle the ball and go back on the attack with Kounde winning another corner. Dembele delivers on the opposite flank.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:29 , Alan Smith28’ - Dembele’s drive is deflected for a corner. He takes it and it’s cleared. Sweden are doing a rather good job of stifling Les Bleus’ fab four for the most part up to now.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:28 , Alan Smith27’ - A very smart free kick from Ayari who slides a low through ball from halfway to Isak when most people were expecting a high ball. Isak gets to it but his shot trickles to Maignan.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:26 , Alan Smith26’ - Back underway and Bon Jovi no longer blares out.
Boos for the break
22:25 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyBoos for the hydration break, even if it is the first game I have been at when the temperature may justify it. But Fifa have already lost the argument by imposing it when there was no need.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:23 , Alan Smith23’ - The hydration break is booed. Although it is justified in these conditions.
Warning signs sent
22:22 , Richard Jolly in New JerseySweden coped well with France for the first 18 minutes. Then a couple of glimpses of what blistering pace can do: first when Bradley Barcola embarked on a solo run and shot just over, then when Kylian Mbappe had a goal disallowed for offside. They are the warnings.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:21 , Alan Smith21’ - Mbappe has the ball in the net but then the flag goes up for offside. Lindelof just about holds his line when Mbappe is sent through. With only Zetterstrom to beat, he coolly dispatches home but the decision is confirmed by the semi-automated tech.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:20 , Alan Smith20’ - Barcola bursts past Lagerbielke and the space opens up in front of him. But his shot is disappointing.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:19 , Alan Smith18’ - The Mexican Wave is out already.
Sweden drive a long free kick towards Lagerbielke. In space and with time, his control isn’t great and a possible chance evaporates.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:15 , Alan Smith15’ - After a lull, Kounde wins a corner. Dembele sends it in, Sweden can only clear as far as Digne and he punts a low effort from about 30 yards straight Zetterstrom.
Sweden stepping up
22:12 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyEarly impressions: there is quite a bit of ambition to Graham Potter's gameplan, whether in playing 4-4-2 or in looking to break forward at pace, but then to keep numbers in the France half.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:10 , Alan Smith10’ - And so the weather proves - for now. France are monopolising the ball but it’s at no great intensity.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:07 , Alan Smith8’ - It’s 33c in New Jersey at the moment and, presumably, even hotter on the pitch. So perhaps we will not see France at their speediest as they aim to pace themselves.
Ayari fouls Olise this time. And the Sweden midifield player must already be careful.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:06 , Alan Smith6’ - Olise goes long again - too long - and not even Barcola is quick enough to get on the end of it.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:04 , Alan Smith4’ - Ayari tries and fails to win the ball off Dembele and follows through, committing the most obvious of fouls. The free kick is sent long by Olise and diverts out for a throw.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:03 , Alan Smith3’ - Gyokeres now does well to hold off Saliba and pulls back to Isak. His shot, via an Upamecano deflection, is swallowed by Maignan. But that is a promising start for Sweden.
France 0-0 Sweden
22:02 , Alan Smith2’ - An early bit of Gunner-on-Gunner action as Saliba drags Gyokeres to the ground, conceding a foul.
Kick-off! France 0-0 Sweden
22:00 , Alan Smith1’ - Sweden, in yellow tops, blue shorts and yellow socks, get us underway, kicking from left to right as we watch.
France are in blue tops, white shorts and red socks.
Deschamps' return
21:57 , Alan SmithThe anthems are delivered with gusto and there is an emotional look on the face of the returning Deschamps, who has returned to the touchline following the passing of his mother.
Here come the teams
21:54 , Alan SmithShakira is on, the long walk from the tunnel to centre circle is underway. And we’re not far away.
It looks a warm afternoon in New Jersey
21:50 , Alan SmithPlus que 20 minutes avant le coup d'envoi... ⏳
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) June 30, 2026
🇫🇷🇸🇪 #FRASWE | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/bZqeCfJNXI
Heaviest of favourites
21:43 , Alan Smith83% - France have an 83% chance of progressing past Sweden, and could become the first team in World Cup history to score 3+ goals in five consecutive matches.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2026
Favourites. pic.twitter.com/lulbdQKtsx
Attack, attack, attack
21:34 , Richard Jolly in New JerseyDidier Deschamps is back after missing France's win over Norway to attend the funeral of his mother. Graham Potter, whose season started haplessly at West Ham, could see it end today against France at the MetLife. Potter has picked an attacking team, adding Lucas Bergvall to Gyokeres, Isak and Elanga. Deschamps probably has the most feared front four in international football, though. And whereas it looked like the winner would be facing Germany, now the reward is a meeting with Paraguay in Philadelphia.
France's midfield glue guy
21:25 , Alan SmithOff-field controversy has followed Adrien Rabiot around but the midfielder’s performances have become pivotal to France’s chance of winning the World Cup
The controversial France midfielder enabling Mbappe to shine at World Cup
Late, late shows - coincidence or something more?
21:18 , Alan SmithCanada defeated South Africa with a 92nd minute winner, Brazil knocked out Japan in the 95th minute, Paraguay and Morocco needed penalties to send Germany and Netherlands home, while Norway’s winner against Ivory Coast arrived in the 86th minute.
Will France, the overwhelming favourites for this one, do enough early damage or are we in for another tense encounter?
Sublime Dembele hat-trick vs Norway shows why France are favourites
21:13 , Miguel DelaneyWhile everyone was looking for two other stars, Ousmane Dembele went supernova.
And yet in defying all of the narrative about Kylian Mbappe and the absent Erling Haaland to propel this World Cup of individuals, France’s hat-trick scorer may have actually started to tell the story of this team.
If one doesn’t get you, the other will. That doesn’t just apply to Dembele or Mbappe, however, but also the effervescent Michael Olise, Bradley Barcola and Desire Doue, who added a fourth against Norway.
Maybe it’s appropriate that the prospective champions display such super-abundance in the country famous for it.
Full article:
Sublime Dembele hat-trick shows just why France are World Cup favourites
Limbering up
21:05 , Alan SmithThe mascots - can you name them without checking? - are getting ready in New Jersey too.
USA 94: How Brolin’s Sweden became World Cup’s great entertainers
21:05 , Lawrence OstlereNo team epitomised USA 94 more than Sweden, a carefree rock and roll group fronted by Tomas Brolin who finished third and were the tournament’s top goalscorers – and with a little more luck might just have become world champions.
Deep dive:
How Tomas Brolin’s Sweden became World Cup entertainers at USA ‘94
How Potter led Sweden to World Cup: ‘Best night of my career’
20:50 , Lawrence OstlereA few minutes after the final whistle blew on the play-off final, euphoria still coursing through his veins, Sweden manager Graham Potter gathered his players around him. “Look at this, this is a f*****g team,” he said, pointing at them, before breaking into a broad grin. “And we’re going to the f*****g World Cup, baby!”
Interview:
How Graham Potter led Sweden to the World Cup: ‘It was the best night of my career’
Confirmed teams!
20:45 , Alan SmithFrance XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Digne; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Barcola; Mbappe.
Sweden XI: Zetterstrom; Lagerbielke, Lindelof, Gudmundsson; Svensson, Bergvall, Ayari, Stroud; Elanga, Isak; Gyokeres.
France v Sweden predicted line-ups
20:40 , Alex PattleFrance XI: Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue; Mbappe.
Sweden XI: Zetterstrom; Lagerbielke, Lindelof, Gudmundsson; Bernhardsson, Bergvall, Ayari, Stroud; Elanga, Gyokeres, Isak.
The stars arrive
20:35 , Alan SmithBoth squads have entered the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey - though we’re not meant to call it that for this tournament, of course.
Tonight's referee...
20:30 , Alan Smith... is Danny Makkelie, the familiar Dutch police inspector.
France v Sweden team news
20:20 , Alex PattleWilliam Saliba was rested against Norway after reportedly struggling with a back issue but is expected to reclaim his place against the Swedes.
Isak Hien is Sweden’s only injury concern, with Victor Lindelof set to be moved into defence from midfield in his absence.
Norway advance
20:08 , Alan SmithErling Haaland (who else?) scored the late winner as Norway edged Ivory Coast 2-1 in Tuesday’s early kick-off.
Here is the lowdown on how it all went down in Texas
Ivory Coast v Norway LIVE: World Cup result and reaction as Haaland strikes late
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings as Messi surges clear of Mbappe
20:06 , Alex PattleCan Mbappe catch Lionel Messi tonight?
The French star would need two goals to go level with the Argentine in the Golden Boot race, in which Messi has become the all-time top scorer at World Cups.
World Cup 2026 golden boot standings including Messi, Mbappe, Kane, Haaland
France group-stage results
19:55 , Alex PattleFrance 3-1 Senegal
France 3-0 Iraq
France 4-1 Norway
Sweden group-stage results
19:50 , Alex PattleSweden 5-1 Tunisia
Sweden 1-5 Netherlands
Sweden 1-1 Japan
Who will the winners face?
19:44 , Alex PattleThe winners will face Paraguay after they overcame Germany in a penalty-shootout upset. That match will take place on Saturday 4 July in Philadelphia.
How to watch France v Sweden today
19:39 , Alex PattleViewers in the UK can watch the match on ITV1, or STV for Scottish fans. It will also be streamed on ITV X and STV Player.
What time does France v Sweden start?
19:35 , Alex PattleFrance’s clash with Sweden kicks off at 10pm BST (5pm ET) on Tuesday 30 June at the New York/New Jersey Stadium.
Welcome: France v Sweden LIVE
19:30 , Alex PattleToday, France continue their bid for a third star on their jersey, as they take on Sweden in the World Cup round of 32.
France, favourites to go all the way in North America, are naturally expected to get past an inconsistent Sweden in New Jersey, but the last 32 has already thrown up shocks. One such upset saw Paraguay eliminate Germany on penalties, and so it will be the South American side who await today’s winners.
France enter the game having comfortably overcome Senegal, Iraq and Norway, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele shining along the way. And although key defender William Saliba was rested against Norway due to a back issue, he is expected to return here.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s opening 5-1 win over Tunisia gave way to a 5-1 loss to Netherlands in a curious turn of events, before a draw with Japan got Graham Potter’s side safely through to the knockouts.
Follow all the action from the World Cup last-32 game, right here.
