France face Sweden on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the Football World Cup in 2026 Round of 32, with kick-off set for 5:00 p.m. ET (10:00 p.m. BST).
In this blog you will find everything you need to know about how to watch France vs Sweden live, including kick-off times, broadcast options, squad lists, team news, and a full tactical breakdown.
Key Details
- Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 5:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 p.m. BST / 2:30 a.m. IST (Wed) / 7:00 a.m. AEST (Wed)
- Venue: MetLife Stadium (New York New Jersey Stadium), East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
- Stage: Round of 32
- Where to Watch: FOX / FOX One (USA) | ITVX / ITV1 (UK) | SBS on Demand (Australia) | RTÉ Player (Ireland)
Where to Watch France vs. Sweden Football World Cup Match?
FOX carries France vs Sweden in the United States, with the match available to stream via the FOX One platform. Spanish language viewers in the USA can follow on Telemundo and Peacock.
In the United Kingdom, ITVX and ITV1 broadcast the match free to air. Australian fans can stream free via SBS on Demand, while Irish viewers have access through RTÉ Player.
How to watch France vs. Sweden with a VPN
If France vs Sweden is not available in your region, a VPN gives you access to ITVX, which broadcasts the match free to air in the UK.
ITVX is geoblocked outside the United Kingdom, meaning viewers overseas cannot access it directly. A VPN routes your connection through a UK server, assigning a British IP address that unlocks full access to the platform.
Follow these steps:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to obtain a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for France vs Sweden and start streaming the match live.
Please note: Always check the terms of service for any platform you access and the local regulations in your country before using a VPN.
France vs. Sweden Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
France Team News
Didier Deschamps, 57, has managed France since 2012 and is one of only three men to have won the World Cup as both a player in 1998 and a head coach in 2018. He confirmed before the tournament that he will not renew his contract beyond 2026, making this his farewell campaign.
France prepared with two pre-tournament friendlies. They lost 2-1 to Ivory Coast on June 4 in Nantes, then recovered to beat Northern Ireland 3-1 on June 8 in Lille, with Michael Olise scoring a hat-trick in that second outing.
France swept Group I with three wins. Captain Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé each scored four goals in the group stage, with Dembélé including a hat-trick against Norway. Mbappé reached 100 international caps during the Iraq fixture and became France’s all-time leading scorer during the group stage.
Centre-back William Saliba was rested in the 4-1 win over Norway due to a back problem, though the Arsenal defender was expected to return for the Round of 32. Marcus Thuram carried a calf problem but was expected to be fit for bench duty. Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola also contributed goals in the group phase, underlining the remarkable depth of options Deschamps has at his disposal.
France operated in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 shape. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot anchored the midfield pivot, freeing the wide forwards to attack at pace. Deschamps prioritised defensive structure, with France conceding just twice in three group matches.
Sweden Team News
Graham Potter was appointed Sweden head coach on October 20, 2025, taking over from Jon Dahl Tomasson who was dismissed after Sweden took just one point from four World Cup qualifying matches. Potter had previously worked with Swedish club Östersund FK earlier in his career before going on to manage Brighton and Chelsea in the Premier League.
Sweden qualified via the UEFA play-offs after finishing bottom of their qualifying group. A Viktor Gyökeres hat-trick helped them past Ukraine 3-1 in the semi-final, and Sweden defeated Poland 3-2 in the final to secure their place at the tournament.
In the group stage, Sweden opened with a convincing 5-1 win over Tunisia. They then suffered a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands, before drawing 1-1 with Japan on matchday three to advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
Centre-back Isak Hien was ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury, a significant blow to Potter’s defensive options. Victor Lindelöf, who had been used in midfield against Japan, was expected to drop back into the defensive line to cover the absence. Lucas Bergvall was deployed in Lindelöf’s place in midfield in the Japan match.
Dejan Kulusevski was not included in the squad after failing to recover from knee surgery. Barcelona’s Roony Bardghji and Williot Swedberg of Celta Vigo were also omitted. Alexander Isak had returned from a broken leg in time to feature in the group stage after missing the play-offs, and linked up with Viktor Gyökeres to form one of the tournament’s most dangerous strike partnerships on paper.
France World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Brice Samba, Robin Risser
- Defenders: Lucas Digne, Malo Gusto, Lucas Hernandez, Theo Hernandez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jules Koundé, Maxence Lacroix, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano
- Midfielders: N’Golo Kanté, Manu Koné, Adrien Rabiot, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Warren Zaïre-Emery
- Forwards: Maghnes Akliouche, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise, Marcus Thuram
Sweden World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Jacob Widell Zetterström
- Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hien, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Lindelöf, Eric Smith, Carl Starfelt, Daniel Svensson, Elliot Stroud
- Midfielders: Yasin Ayari, Lucas Bergvall, Herman Johansson, Jesper Karlström, Benjamin Nygren, Ken Sema, Mattias Svanberg, Besfort Zeneli
- Forwards: Taha Ali, Alexander Bernhardsson, Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak, Gustaf Nilsson
France vs. Sweden Match Preview
France vs Sweden takes place on June 30 at MetLife Stadium, the same iconic venue that will host the World Cup Final on July 19. It is the first knockout match for both nations, with the winner advancing to a potential Round of 16 clash against Germany or Paraguay.
France entered as the highest-ranked side in North America and lived up to that billing in the group stage. Their 10 goals in three matches marked them as the tournament’s most productive attack. Sweden arrived at the knockout rounds with seven goals but also seven conceded, a balance that raises serious concerns heading into a match against such elite opposition.
The stakes are maximum for both sides. For Deschamps, a deep run represents the crowning achievement of a 14-year tenure. For Potter, reaching the Round of 16 in his first major tournament with Sweden would represent an extraordinary achievement given where the team was a year ago.
Tactical Outlook
France were expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 with Mbappé as the central striker and Dembélé, Olise, and Doué rotating across the three attacking positions behind him. Tchouaméni and Rabiot were likely to form the double pivot, protecting Saliba and Upamecano at the back.
Sweden were anticipated to operate in a 3-1-4-2, with Lindelöf dropping into the back three to cover Hien’s absence. Gyökeres and Isak were expected to start as a strike pair, with Elanga providing width and pace on the right.
The key matchup was Gyökeres and Isak against Upamecano and Saliba. If those French centre-backs could neutralise Sweden’s forwards, the match was unlikely to stay close. The danger zone for France was conceding on the counter, as Sweden demonstrated against Tunisia that they can move the ball quickly in transition.
France’s ability to control possession and dictate tempo, as they did in the second half against Senegal, made them overwhelming favourites. Sweden’s best hope was keeping it tight in the first 60 minutes and using their strike pair to exploit any French defensive lapse.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Day | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 30 | Tuesday | Ivory Coast vs Norway | Round of 32 |
| June 30 | Tuesday | France vs Sweden | Round of 32 |
| June 30 | Tuesday | Mexico vs Ecuador | Round of 32 |
| July 1 | Wednesday | England vs DR Congo | Round of 32 |
| July 1 | Wednesday | Belgium vs Senegal | Round of 32 |
| July 2 | Thursday | USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | Round of 32 |
| July 2 | Thursday | Spain vs Austria | Round of 32 |
| July 3 | Friday | Portugal vs Croatia | Round of 32 |
| July 3 | Friday | Switzerland vs Algeria | Round of 32 |
| July 3 | Friday | Australia vs Egypt | Round of 32 |
| July 4 | Saturday | Argentina vs Cape Verde | Round of 32 |
| July 4 | Saturday | Colombia vs Ghana | Round of 32 |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the Football World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded Football World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this Football World Cup lasts 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in the 2026 Football World Cup
There are 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where games take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match was especially historic. The tournament kicked off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico faced South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in Football World Cup history and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s Football World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The knockout stage will conclude with the final, to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The Stars to Watch in the 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final Football World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his Football World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final Football World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Knockout Stage: The Road to the Final
The knockout stage of the 2026 Football World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, played from June 28 to July 19, 2026. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups, along with the best eight third-place teams, have advanced to compete in a single-elimination tournament.
The 2026 World Cup is ready to enter its knockout stage. Here's how the tournament's next phase differs from the group stage. https://t.co/ZUtq2tVWQo
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) June 28, 2026
Football World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Schedule
| Round | Date | Match / Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 | Canada vs. South Africa |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Brazil vs. Japan |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Germany vs. Paraguay |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Netherlands vs. Morocco |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Ivory Coast vs. Norway |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | France vs. Sweden |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Mexico vs. Ecuador |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | England vs. DR Congo |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | Belgium vs. Senegal |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| Round of 32 | Thursday, July 2 | Spain vs. Austria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Portugal vs. Croatia |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Switzerland vs. Algeria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Australia vs. Egypt |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Argentina vs. Cape Verde |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Colombia vs. Ghana |
⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Fixtures ⚽
— World of StatHistics (@Stat_Cult) June 28, 2026
🗓️ Sunday, June 28
🇿🇦 South Africa – Canada 🇨🇦 →
🏟️ Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi)
🗓️ Monday, June 29
🔥 🇧🇷 Brazil – Japan 🇯🇵 →
🏟️ Houston Stadium (NRG)
🇩🇪 Germany – Paraguay 🇵🇾 →
🏟️ Boston Stadium (Gillette)
🇳🇱 Netherlands –… pic.twitter.com/Upoc5irwla
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Mexico has 3 stadiums like this and still got just 13 matches to host and USA is hosting 78 matches.
— Rahul Raj (@RahulRajVerse) June 28, 2026
Mexico is definitely Robbed😢😭 pic.twitter.com/HMyhQJ1Xhk
Prize Money and Commercial Scale of the 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this Football World Cup was confirmed at an official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s Football World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended Football World Cup with 3.6 million fans. That record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup Official Broadcasters
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest Football World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last Football World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
France vs Sweden kicks off on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET (10:00 p.m. BST). The match is played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the same venue that will host the World Cup Final on July 19.
France topped Group I with three wins from three, scoring 10 goals against Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. Sweden advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams from the group stage, finishing third in Group F on four points after beating Tunisia, losing to the Netherlands, and drawing with Japan.
Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak lead Sweden’s attack and represent their most dangerous combination. Gyökeres scored a hat-trick in Sweden’s World Cup play-off win over Ukraine and opened the tournament with goals against Tunisia. Isak returned from injury to link up with Gyökeres in the group stage.
No. Defender Isak Hien was ruled out of the entire tournament with a hamstring injury sustained during the group stage. His absence forced Graham Potter to restructure Sweden’s back line, with Victor Lindelöf expected to drop from midfield into defence for the Round of 32.
Using a VPN is legal in most countries. Accessing geoblocked content may be subject to the platform’s terms of service, so users should review those conditions and local regulations before connecting. PureVPN is a widely used option for accessing international broadcasts where the match is shown free to air.
Danny Makkelie of the Netherlands was confirmed as the referee for France vs Sweden in the Round of 32.
