FIFA World Cup
France topped Group I with three wins while Sweden advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams from Group F.
"Sweden not are playing for their survival. Obviously they will do everything to win the game, but they have nothing to lose," Deschamps said.
"We need to stay humble, maintain our determination and concentration. In the group stage winning the first game gave us some margin for error, but now we have no second chances."
"We need to stay humble, maintain our determination and concentration. In the group stage winning the first game gave us some margin for error, but now we have no second chances."
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Deschamps returned to the France team's base in Boston on Saturday after missing the 4-1 win against Norway to fly home to attend his mother's funeral.
France came into the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the leading contenders to win the trophy, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final.
They were impressive in the group stage, at least after a shaky first half in their opening game against Senegal.
France came into the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the leading contenders to win the trophy, following their triumph in 2018 and defeat on penalties to Argentina in the 2022 final.
They were impressive in the group stage, at least after a shaky first half in their opening game against Senegal.
After winning that match 3-1 in New Jersey, they eased to a 3-0 victory over Iraq in a storm-interrupted contest in Philadelphia, and then hammered a second-string Norway in Boston.
Les Bleus were one of only three teams to take the maximum nine points in the group stage, along with reigning champions Argentina and co-hosts Mexico. Their tally of 10 goals scored was also the joint-highest in the first round along with Germany and the Netherlands.
"We just need to stay confident, but now we wipe the slate clean," said Deschamps about the start of the knockout phase. "We are confident but we know that the quality of the opposition will go up as well."
Les Bleus were one of only three teams to take the maximum nine points in the group stage, along with reigning champions Argentina and co-hosts Mexico. Their tally of 10 goals scored was also the joint-highest in the first round along with Germany and the Netherlands.
"We just need to stay confident, but now we wipe the slate clean," said Deschamps about the start of the knockout phase. "We are confident but we know that the quality of the opposition will go up as well."
Sweden made it to the FIFA World Cup via the backdoor, finishing bottom of their qualifying group but parachuting into the playoffs thanks to their performances in the UEFA Nations League.
A comprehensive 5-1 win over Tunisia and a draw with Japan, either side of a 5-1 loss to the Dutch, took them through to this stage as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase.
A comprehensive 5-1 win over Tunisia and a draw with Japan, either side of a 5-1 loss to the Dutch, took them through to this stage as one of the best third-placed teams in the group phase.
"They are a good team, very athletic, but also with (Viktor) Gyokeres, (Alexander) Isak and (Anthony) Elanga, they have lots of quality in attack," said Deschamps.
The only previous meeting of the teams at a major tournament came at Euro 2012, just before Deschamps took charge of France with Sweden winning that group-stage encounter 2-0 in Ukraine with Zlatan Ibrahimovic among the scorers.
Deschamps revealed that Marcus Thuram is unlikely to be an option in attack for the game due to a minor muscle injury, while veteran midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt. William Saliba is expected to return in central defence after resting against Norway due to back pain.
The only previous meeting of the teams at a major tournament came at Euro 2012, just before Deschamps took charge of France with Sweden winning that group-stage encounter 2-0 in Ukraine with Zlatan Ibrahimovic among the scorers.
Deschamps revealed that Marcus Thuram is unlikely to be an option in attack for the game due to a minor muscle injury, while veteran midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt. William Saliba is expected to return in central defence after resting against Norway due to back pain.
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Sweden head coach Graham Potter captured the size of the task awaiting his side, admitting they will have to "play the best game we have ever played" to beat one of the tournament favourites.
"They have quality all over. We respect our opponents, obviously. They have won the World Cup before and they have a fantastic manager," Potter said. "An exciting challenge awaits us, and we will have to play the game of our lives, clearly."
The winners of this tie will meet either Germany or Paraguay in the Round of 16.
"They have quality all over. We respect our opponents, obviously. They have won the World Cup before and they have a fantastic manager," Potter said. "An exciting challenge awaits us, and we will have to play the game of our lives, clearly."
The winners of this tie will meet either Germany or Paraguay in the Round of 16.
France v Sweden
Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium (East Rutherford)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 17:00 (UTC-4)
Sources: AFP, FIFA via Getty Images
Venue: New York New Jersey Stadium (East Rutherford)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 17:00 (UTC-4)
Sources: AFP, FIFA via Getty Images
