30 June 2026
Deschamps Eyes Sweden Test as France Seek That Dangerous Edge
France coach Didier Deschamps has praised Sweden as a formidable side ahead of their World Cup last-32 meeting, while vowing his team will bring their capacity for threat.
Didier Deschamps has spoken respectfully but confidently ahead of France's World Cup round of 32 clash with Sweden, due to be played in New York New Jersey on Tuesday evening. According to The Guardian, the France coach acknowledged that Sweden are a physical side with genuine quality in their attacking line, and described them as solid with world-class forwards.
Sweden coach Graham Potter, meanwhile, framed the fixture as a huge opportunity for his side, noting the distance the team had travelled as a project. Potter said the squad's greatest strength was their togetherness and spoke of his excitement at facing one of the biggest teams in the world. Sweden will be without defender Alexander Hien, who picked up a hamstring injury.
The match is one of the standout fixtures of this round, with the winner earning a potential last-16 tie against Paraguay, the team who knocked out Germany in a stunning upset earlier on Tuesday.
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