Sweden prepares to face France in World Cup 2026 round of 16

Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres said the team believes in itself despite being clear underdogs ahead of the round‑of‑16 clash with France at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Speaking at a press conference in Dallas, he stressed the need for near‑perfect defensive organisation and highlighted the personal challenge of playing against France centre‑back William Saliba. Defender Victor Lindelöf echoed the sentiment, calling Kylian Mbappé one of the world’s best and urging his teammates to aim for a win rather than merely participation.

Sweden qualified through the European play‑offs and entered the tournament with mixed results: a 5‑1 win over Tunisia, a 5‑1 loss to the Netherlands and a 1‑1 draw with Japan. The squad will be without central defender Isak Hienno, who suffered a hamstring injury against Japan. The match is scheduled for Tuesday in the New Jersey‑New York area, with the Swedish camp based in Dallas, Texas, before travelling to East Rutherford.

The players expressed confidence that tactical preparation and a focused attack – led by Gyökeres and striker Alexander Isak – could trouble the French favorites.