New Jersey: France and Sweden in goalless World Cup last-32 encounter

By George Aldridge — 30 June 2026 — 3 min read

Early exchanges and disallowed goal

The FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between France and Sweden at the New York New Jersey Stadium has remained goalless after the initial stages. Despite a strong start from France, the score stood at 0-0 with half an hour played. The early moments saw Kylian Mbappe have a goal disallowed for a narrow offside, a decision confirmed by freeze-frame replays, indicating it was a tight call.

France, managed by Didier Deschamps, began the match in a 4-2-3-1 formation. They quickly asserted dominance, maintaining possession primarily in the Swedish half. Sweden, under manager Graham Potter, adopted a 4-4-2 formation and positioned 11 players behind the ball, focusing on a deep defensive strategy to counter the French attack.

The match saw an early opportunity for Sweden when Isak had a shot saved by Maignan after a clever set piece. However, France continued to press. Bradley Barcola showcased an individual effort, dribbling infield from the left wing before firing his shot over the bar. Mbappe also attempted an ambitious shot from 25 yards out, which was gathered by Widell Zetterstrom.

French pressure intensifies

As the game progressed, France increased their offensive pressure. Mbappe was involved in another significant moment when the ball broke to him in the box, but his shot rebounded off the foot of the post before the Swedish defence cleared it. This near-miss highlighted France’s growing threat.

Moments later, Adrien Rabiot’s angled shot was denied by the Swedish goalkeeper’s boot after being sent through by Mbappe. Ousmane Dembele’s drive was also deflected for a corner. Despite these efforts, Sweden’s defence managed to clear the subsequent corners and stifle Les Bleus’ attack for much of the first half.

A hydration break was called during the match, which was met with boos from the crowd. However, the soaring temperatures in New Jersey suggested the break was justified. During this period, France’s manager Didier Deschamps was seen overseeing his team, while Sweden’s manager Graham Potter continued to direct his side.

Context and expectations

France entered the match as favourites, aiming for a third star on their jersey. They had comfortably advanced through their group stage matches, overcoming Senegal, Iraq, and Norway. Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele had been key players in their campaign. Defender William Saliba, who was rested against Norway due to a back issue, was expected to return for this crucial encounter.

Sweden’s journey to the knockout stage was less consistent. They began with a 5-1 victory over Tunisia but then suffered a 5-1 loss to the Netherlands. A subsequent draw with Japan secured their progression to the Round of 32. The unpredictability of the last 32 was highlighted by Paraguay’s elimination of Germany on penalties, setting up a clash with today’s winners.

The match momentum, which measures the swing of the game by comparing each team’s threat, indicated periods of dominance for France. Despite their strong attacking play and multiple opportunities, including shots from Lucas Digne and Kounde, France had not yet managed to break the deadlock against a resilient Swedish defence. The sun-soaked turf of New Jersey continued to host a tense 0-0 stalemate.

The French team’s pursuit of goals was evident, with Mbappe, Dembele, and Rabiot all attempting to find the back of the net. Mbappe, France’s all-time leading scorer, expressed frustration after a missed opportunity, underscoring the intensity of the contest. The match continued with France pressing for an opener against a determined Swedish side.

Source: bbc.co.uk