TDT | Manama

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France begin the knockout phase of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday against Sweden in New York, looking to turn a dominant group campaign into another deep run under outgoing coach Didier Deschamps. Les Bleus swept Group I with three wins from three over Senegal, Iraq and Norway, scoring 10 goals and conceding only twice to reaffirm their status as one of the tournament favourites.

A 4-1 victory over a rotated Norway side in their final group match underlined the depth of Deschamps's squad, with Ousmane Dembele hitting a hat-trick to show France are far from reliant on captain Kylian Mbappe alone. Their attacking options and bench strength have been central to the view that second-ranked France can challenge again for a trophy they won in 2018 and narrowly missed in 2022.

France open the knockouts at New York New Jersey Stadium, which is also set to host the final, adding symbolic weight to a campaign in which Deschamps has already confirmed he will step down after the tournament. The route to that final is daunting, with potential clashes against Germany, the Netherlands or Morocco, and Spain lying ahead if seeds progress as expected.

At the other end of the draw on Tuesday, Sweden arrive as outsiders after scraping through as one of the best third-placed teams. Graham Potter's side took four points from their group, beating Tunisia, losing 5-1 to the Netherlands and drawing 1-1 with Japan in a match where they were often second best. Their record of seven goals scored and seven conceded reflects a team still searching for consistency after failing to win any qualifier ahead of this World Cup.

Even so, reaching the last 32 is an achievement for the 36th-ranked Swedes, who missed three of the previous four World Cup finals and have not gone out this early since 1990. They must now avoid a fifth defeat in six meetings with France, with recent losses often decided by narrow margins.

France are expected to restore Arsenal defender William Saliba after he sat out the Norway game with a back issue, with Dayot Upamecano likely to keep his place in central defence. Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot are set to continue as the double pivot in midfield, while Mbappe, chasing a fifth goal of the tournament, should spearhead an attack supported by Michael Olise, Dembele and Desire Doue.

For Sweden, Anthony Elanga's pace on the flank and the forward pairing of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres offer a threat on the break, even if their own back line has looked fragile. An injury to Isak Hien is expected to force Victor Lindelof back into defence, with Lucas Bergvall likely to partner Yasin Ayari in midfield. Most observers anticipate France's attacking power to prove decisive, with a 3-1 scoreline widely predicted in favour of Deschamps's men.