What: France–Sweden, round of 16 in the men's World Cup.
Where: Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
When: Tuesday, June 30, kick-off 11:00 PM.
TV/radio: TV4/P4 radio sport.
+ The Resistance
Three straight wins in the group stage against Senegal, Iraq and Norway, 10–2 on goals, high-profile performances mainly from Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé. The question is whether "Les Bleus" are not even a little stronger and sharper now than in Qatar four years ago.
+ Most difficult task in a long time
The men's national team must go back to the 2006 World Cup to find something similar to the task that awaits in the knockout match at the final arena in East Rutherford. Then, the host nation Germany awaited in the round of 16 in Munich. After two early goals by Lukas Podolski, it was time to go home.
+ New tactical genius moves?
Graham Potter reshuffled the starting eleven and made some tactical changes that worked. It laid the foundation for a 1-1 draw against Japan and the point needed to advance. What will he come up with now?
+ Center back change
Isak Hien has gone home to Bergamo to take care of his thigh injury. A clear blow. The national team is short of a centre-back and that probably opens the door for Carl Starfelt, who has not started a match since the playoff final against Poland on March 31.
+ French humility?
"The World Cup is starting now. The playoffs are a completely different thing than the group stage," said Ousmane Dembélé after the two goals against Norway.
+ Back in the US
France national team captain Didier Deschamps left the squad to attend his mother's funeral. France wanted to play in mourning against Norway but Fifa said no. Deschamps will step down after the World Cup, after 14 years in the post.
The troops:
France:
Goalkeepers: Mike Maignan, Milan, Brice Samba, Rennes, Robin Risser, Lens.
Defenders: Lucas Digne, Aston Villa, Malo Gusto, Chelsea, Lucas Hernandez, Paris SG, Theo Hernandez, al-Hilal, Ibrahima Konaté, Real Madrid, Jules Koundé, Barcelona, William Saliba, Arsenal, Dayot Upamecano, Bayern Munich, Maxence Lacroix, Crystal Palace.
Midfielders: N'Golo Kanté, Fenerbahce, Manu Koné, Roma, Adrien Rabiot, Milan, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Real Madrid, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Paris SG.
Forwards: Maghnès Akliouche, Monaco, Bradley Barcola, Paris SG, Rayan Cherki, Manchester City, Ousmane Dembélé, Paris SG, Désiré Doué, Paris SG, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Crystal Palace, Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid, Michael Olise, Bayern Munich, Marcus Thuram, Inter.
National team captain: Didier Deschamps.
Sweden:
Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Derby.
Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds, Herman Johansson, Dallas, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Braga, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Aston Villa, Eric Smith, St Pauli, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Elliot Stroud, Mjällby, Daniel Svensson, Dortmund.
Midfielders/strikers: Taha Ali, Malmö FF, Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Alexander Bernhardsson, Kiel, Anthony Elanga, Newcastle, Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Gustaf Nilsson, Brugge, Benjamin Nygren, Celtic, Ken Sema, Pafos, Mattias Svanberg, Wolfsburg, Besfort Zeneli, Union St Gilloise.
National team captain: Graham Potter.
Referee: Danny Makkelie Netherlands.
Corrected version: In a previous version, the wrong referee was listed. The correct one is Danny Makkelie.
