Sweden assistant coach Sebastian Larsson has declared that his side possesses the capability to produce a major upset when they face France in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The two nations are scheduled to meet in New Jersey on Tuesday, with Sweden entering the tie as heavy underdogs against a French outfit that topped their group in the tournament’s opening phase.
Larsson, who won 133 caps for Sweden during his playing career, drew on past encounters between the two nations to underline his confidence. The former midfielder was on the scoresheet when Sweden defeated France 2-0 at UEFA Euro 2012, a result he believes demonstrates that upsets against elite opposition are achievable. “If you look back, we’ve managed to knock out bigger teams before, even if it’s France this time. It gives me a certain amount of belief in things, definitely in me and hopefully in the players too,” he said.
The assistant coach was equally candid about the scale of the challenge facing the Scandinavian side, acknowledging France’s standing as one of the competition’s strongest squads. “I don’t think I need to say much about France. They have a couple of guys who are quite skilled. We will have our challenges, but we are looking forward to it in a fantastic way,” Larsson said ahead of the fixture.
Speaking on France’s potential approach to the match, Larsson expressed a preference for Didier Deschamps’ side to treat Sweden as a genuine threat. “I hope they don’t look forward to meeting us. But if they do, that’s just how it is. I think there is a respect for us. We still have players who can deliver very good things. For us, it’s about getting everything right, because that will be required,” he added.
Sweden’s path to this stage of the tournament has been far from smooth. The side failed to secure automatic World Cup qualification, instead progressing through the playoff route with wins over Ukraine and Poland before reaching the finals. Their group-stage campaign was similarly turbulent — an emphatic 5-1 victory over Tunisia in their opener was followed by a 5-1 defeat to the Netherlands. A 1-1 draw against Japan in their final group game ultimately proved sufficient to advance as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
France, by contrast, navigated the group stage with considerably greater comfort, finishing top of their pool and capping the opening phase with a 4-1 victory over Norway. Deschamps’ squad arrives at the knockout rounds as one of the pre-tournament favourites, with their depth and individual quality widely regarded as superior to most nations remaining in the competition.
The Round of 32 tie represents a significant moment for Swedish football. The nation’s most celebrated World Cup performance remains their third-place finish in 1994, and while expectations are measured ahead of Tuesday’s encounter, Larsson’s comments suggest the squad will not approach the match with any sense of resignation. Should Sweden cause an upset, it would rank among the more notable results of the 2026 tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
