World Cup 2026: France vs Sweden Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

France take on Sweden at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Tuesday evening, with kickoff at 23:00 CAT in this 2026 World Cup Round of 32 tie. Didier Deschamps' side won all three of their Group I games and start as heavy favourites, while Sweden scraped into the last 32 as one of the best third placed teams. The gap in quality between these sides is sizeable. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

France

France were the most ruthless side in the group stage, winning all three games and rounding things off with a 4-1 win over Norway in which Ousmane Dembele scored a first half hat-trick. In my opinion Deschamps has strength in every position, and the fact he could rest players in that final group game and still win comfortably tells you all about the depth available. Kylian Mbappe leads the line with Dembele and Michael Olise in support, while William Saliba is expected to return at the back after being rested as a precaution. My read on this is that France will have far too much for a depleted Sweden.

Predicted Lineup: Maignan; Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Kone; Dembele, Olise, Doue; Mbappe.

Sweden

Sweden limped into the knockouts in third place in Group F, with an impressive start when they beat Tunisia 5-1 almost coming to nought after they were torn apart 5-1 by Netherlands before a 1-1 draw with Japan. From my point of view Graham Potter's side are dangerous in attack through the pairing of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, but they have looked badly exposed against the better teams. The loss of Isak Hien, who is out for the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury, is a serious blow to an already shaky defence. My read on this is that Sweden will struggle to contain the French attack over ninety minutes.

Predicted Lineup: Zetterstrom; Lindelof, Starfelt, Lagerbielke; Gudmundsson, Ayari, Stroud, Bernhardsson;  Elanga; Gyokeres, Isak.

France have the quality, the depth and the form to win this comfortably, and with Sweden missing Hien at the back I expect Mbappe and Dembele to cause problems all night. Sweden will offer the odd moment through Isak and Gyokeres, but I do not see them keeping France out for long. I am expecting a comfortable French win to nil. My forecast: France 3 Sweden 0.

BTTS: No (1.78)

I am backing both teams not to score and my read on this is that France have the defensive quality to shut Sweden out. The French conceded only twice in the group stage and with Saliba back alongside Upamecano I expect them to control this. Sweden created little against the better sides they faced and I doubt they find a way through here, even with their talented pairing up front.