France enter the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 with growing momentum and the weight of expectation firmly behind them as they prepare to face Sweden at the New Jersey Stadium, the venue that will also host next month's final.
Having negotiated one of the tournament's most competitive groups without dropping a point, Didier Deschamps' side now begins the knockout phase looking every bit like a genuine title contender.
Their campaign has gathered pace with each outing. A measured second-half display saw France overcome Senegal in its opener before a convincing victory over Iraq under challenging weather conditions. The group stage concluded in emphatic fashion as Ousmane Dembélé's hat-trick powered a commanding win over Norway, underlining the depth and firepower available to Les Bleus.
