By Adegboyega Adeleye
France will stick to the attacking style that powered them through the group stage when they face Sweden in the last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, coach Didier Deschamps has said.
Les Bleus reached the knockout rounds with a perfect record of nine points, scoring 10 goals against Senegal, Iraq and Norway, although their adventurous approach also allowed opponents to create several chances.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Deschamps made it clear France would not sacrifice their attacking identity despite concerns over their defensive vulnerability.
“We have to score one more goal, not give up what we’re capable of doing,” Deschamps told reporters, according to Reuters.
“We’ve conceded a few too many chances. Every match has a different scenario. Can you succeed like that? We did it four years ago.
“We have the ability to create danger and hurt the opposition. That’s our strength and I want us to keep that strength.”
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot also dismissed suggestions that France’s status as one of the tournament favourites could lead to complacency, insisting the squad had learned from their shock Euro 2020 last-16 defeat to Switzerland.
“That experience helps us. Those who were there pass it on to the rest of the group,” Rabiot said.
“That’s why we don’t relax and take every match seriously. Against Switzerland we may have been a little superficial and we paid for it. Anything can happen in a single match.”
Rabiot warned that Sweden possess enough quality to punish any lapse in concentration.
“Sweden have quality players and a very strong attacking line with world-class players playing for big clubs in the best leagues,” he said.
“We know they have quality. We’ll take them just as seriously as we took Iraq and Norway.”
Deschamps echoed that assessment, highlighting Sweden’s pace on the counter-attack, aerial strength and threat from set-pieces.
“They defend with five and they are dangerous when there are spaces,” he said. “They’re also very good from set pieces and long throws. Just look at their front three – they all play for big clubs.”
France, however, will be without striker Marcus Thuram due to a muscle injury, while midfielder N’Golo Kante remains a doubt for the knockout encounter.
