After two weeks of eventful group stage matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Meadowlands will be hosting its first knockout stage match, on Tuesday, June 30, as France and Sweden face off in the round of 32. The knockout stages bring a new intensity and pressure to the game, as the winner advances further in the tournament, with the losing team having their run for the FIFA World Cup trophy put to an end.
France
This will not be France’s first time playing in the Meadowlands for this tournament, as the team played a group stage match in the region against Senegal. The match ended in a 3-1 victory for France, which the team will hope to replicate as they head to the round of 32. France is currently ranked as the second best team in the world by FIFA, making them one of the most-favored teams to win the entire tournament.
France went undefeated in their group stage matches, defeating Norway, Senegal and Iraq. Despite being in what many considered to be one of the toughest groups in the tournament, France was able to advance with ease. Boasting talented players such as, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Michael Olise, it is clear to see why the squad has played so dominantly thus far.
Sweden
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup being the first rendition of the tournament to boast the new 48-team format, Sweden was one of the eight teams to benefit from the third place standings that allowed teams an extra opportunity. Sweden recorded a win, a draw and a loss in their group stage matches, leaving them with four points and a 0 point goal differential, which put them as one of the tournament’s top third place teams.
Sweden is currently ranked as the 36th best team in the world by FIFA, seeing slight improvements after their performance in the group stage matches. For Sweden, playing in the United States seems to aid the team, as the last time the tournament was held here, in 1994, Sweden finished in third place, which is tied for its best finish ever in the tournament. Sweden will hope to continue their trend of stellar performances in FIFA World Cup tournaments held in the United States this Tuesday.
History of France vs. Sweden
As two of Europe’s most storied nations in the sport, France and Sweden have a long past, with their first matchup coming in 1935, in an international friendly match that France won. The two teams have previously met 23 times, with France winning 12 times, Sweden winning six times and the remaining five matches ending in a draw.
At their most recent meeting, which came in 2020 for the UEFA Nations League, France won both of their matchups. While the recent history and standings favor France, the Meadowlands is in store for an entertaining, high-stakes matchup between two of the 2026 FIFA World Cup’s top teams.
