France and Sweden will clash in the World Cup third-place match
The knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup has entered a critical phase, Zamin.uz reports.
For a spot in the semifinals, the national teams of France and Sweden are battling it out. This crucial match is taking place at a magnificent stadium hosted by the cities of New York and New Jersey.
The match is scheduled to begin at 02:00 Tashkent time on July 1. The winner of this game will advance to face Paraguay in the next round.
The French national team coach has fielded his strongest possible lineup for this decisive encounter. Leading the attack are talented players such as Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise, and Bradley Barcola.
In central defense, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano have been entrusted with the responsibility of repelling opponent attacks. Experts consider the French among the favorites to win the tournament.
Their main advantages lie in high tempo, the individual skill of the players, and the depth of the squad. The Swedish national team has also prepared seriously for the upcoming match and aims to take the field with an attacking lineup.
The core strength of the Scandinavians lies in the effective performances of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres in attack. Additionally, winger Anthony Elanga aims to trouble the opposition defense with his quick runs.
In midfield, young talents Lukas Bergvall and Yasin Ayari will look to control the tempo of the game. For Sweden, this match will not be easy, but the team’s disciplined defense and swift counterattacks could create unexpected problems for France.
The starting lineups have been announced: in goal for France is Mike Maignan. The defense consists of Koundé, Upamecano, Saliba, and Digne, while in midfield, Tchouaméni and Rabiot are operating.
In attack, Barcola, Dembélé, Olise, and Mbappé will aim to break down the Swedish defense. In the Swedish lineup, Dahlin is in goal, with Lagerbielke, Lindelöf, Gudmundsson, and Svensson forming the backline.
In midfield, Ayari, Strud, and Bergvall will play, while in attack, Elanga, Gyökeres, and Isak will lead the charge. Although France appears superior in terms of squad quality and experience, any mistake in the knockout stage could prove costly.
A single loss would end a team’s World Cup journey. Therefore, fans are expecting an intense and open game from both sides.
This information was provided by One.uz.
