World Cup 2026: France line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Mbappé captain against Sweden’s 3-4-2-1

This knockout clash brings together two nations that have not yet begun their World Cup. The duel pits a France team rich in attacking talent but without Marcus Thuram, who is ruled out, against a Swedish side using a compact three-defender setup, without Isak Hien, who has a hamstring injury.

France coach Didier Deschamps has put his faith in a starting XI featuring key players such as Mike Maignan in goal, defenders Jules Koundé and Dayot Upamecano, as well as the midfield pairing of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot. The attack is built around Ousmane Dembélé, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola behind Mbappé.

For his part, Graham Potter has gone with Sweden in a 3-4-2-1 with goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström and a three-man defensive line made up of Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Lindelöf and Gabriel Gudmundsson. The midfield includes Daniel Svensson, Yasin Ayari, Lucas Bergvall and Elliot Stroud, supporting an attack led by Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak.

Reading France’s starting XI

Didier Deschamps lines up in a 4-2-3-1 clearly geared toward a balance between solidity and creativity. Mike Maignan starts in goal, while the defence is built around Jules Koundé and Dayot Upamecano in the centre, flanked by William Saliba on the right and Lucas Digne on the left. The defensive midfield pairing of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot ensures control in midfield and a first line of protection against opposition attacks.

In attack, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise occupy the wings, giving Mbappé angles and space to operate as the centre-forward. Bradley Barcola completes this attacking trio, allowing for mobility and varied combinations. Mbappé, the captain, will be the key figure in a system designed to tilt the match.

On the bench, the absence of Marcus Thuram is felt as an attacking loss, with N’Golo Kanté doubtful. Several young players, such as Rayan Cherki and Warren Zaïre-Emery, provide interesting depth to the squad.

Reading Sweden’s starting XI

With a 3-4-2-1 setup, Sweden are relying on a physical and compact organisation with Jacob Widell Zetterström in goal. Graham Potter’s three-man defence features Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Lindelöf and Gabriel Gudmundsson, noted for their performances at club and international level.

The relatively dense midfield is made up of Daniel Svensson, Yasin Ayari, Lucas Bergvall and Elliot Stroud, combining balance and attacking support. Anthony Elanga and Viktor Gyökeres join Alexander Isak in attack, although Isak Hien is absent through injury, depriving Sweden of defensive support on the flanks.

This Swedish formation prioritises defensive solidity in an attempt to contain France’s multiple attacking threats and hope to spark the match through quick counterattacks or set pieces.

The starting lineups

France

Formation4-2-3-1CoachDidier Deschamps

Starters11

16Mike MaignanGoalkeeper
5Jules KoundéDefender
4Dayot UpamecanoDefender
17William SalibaDefender
3Lucas DigneDefender
8Aurélien TchouaméniMidfielder
14Adrien RabiotMidfielder
7Ousmane DembéléMidfielder
11Michael OliseMidfielder
12Bradley BarcolaMidfielder
10Kylian MbappéForward

Substitutes15

23Robin Risser
1Brice Samba
2Malo Gusto
21Lucas Hernández
26Maxence Lacroix
15Ibrahima Konaté
19Theo Hernández
6Manu Koné
24Rayan Cherki
25Maghnes Akliouche
18Warren Zaïre-Emery
13N'Golo Kanté
22Jean-Philippe Mateta
20Désiré Doué
9Marcus Thuram

Sweden

Formation3-4-2-1CoachGraham Potter

Starters11

1Jacob Widell ZetterströmGoalkeeper
2Gustaf LagerbielkeDefender
3Victor LindelöfDefender
5Gabriel GudmundssonDefender
8Daniel SvenssonMidfielder
18Yasin AyariMidfielder
7Lucas BergvallMidfielder
24Elliot StroudMidfielder
11Anthony ElangaForward
9Alexander IsakForward
17Viktor GyökeresForward

Substitutes14

23Kristoffer Nordfeldt
12Viktor Johansson
14Hjalmar Ekdal
20Eric Smith
15Carl Starfelt
22Besfort Zeneli
6Herman Johansson
13Ken Sema
26Taha Abdi Ali
16Jesper Karlström
19Mattias Svanberg
10Benjamin Nygren
25Gustaf Nilsson
21Alexander Bernhardsson

France

First half 32' 0-0 New York New Jersey Stadium

Sweden

30/06/2026 22:00 Round of 32

Fil du match

4'4' Ally McCoist is not a fan of the pitch. Suggests it’s an underwhelming surface. Suède at the ball forward quickly and it reaches Isak on the edge of the box but his shot is deflected into the arms of the goalkeeper. Dembele has his first real involvement b...

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