World Cup: France to Test Sweden with Mbappe, Dembele, Olise in Round of 32 Clash

• France’s deadly attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise headline Tuesday’s World Cup Round of 32 action as Erling Haaland leads Norway against Ivory Coast, while co-hosts Mexico battle Ecuador for a place in the Round of 16.

The race for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 continues on Tuesday as France, Norway and co-hosts Mexico battle for knockout qualification in three mouthwatering Round of 32 fixtures.

France will rely on their star-studded attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise when they face Sweden in one of the day’s biggest encounters.

Mbappé has already scored four goals at the tournament, while Dembélé announced himself with a hat-trick against Norway in the group stage, making Didier Deschamps’ side one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Despite France’s attacking firepower, Deschamps has warned against underestimating Sweden, insisting his side must remain focused as there are “no second chances” in the knockout stage.

Sweden, managed by Graham Potter, will look to spring a major upset with Premier League forwards Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres leading their attack after qualifying for the knockout rounds as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.

Meanwhile, Norway will pin their hopes on goal machine Erling Haaland when they take on Ivory Coast in Dallas. Haaland, who has scored four goals in just two matches, returns refreshed after being rested against France, with coach Ståle Solbakken describing him as “one of the best players in the world.”

Elsewhere, co-hosts Mexico will enjoy home support at the Estadio Azteca when they face Ecuador, knowing victory will keep them in Mexico City for a Round of 16 clash against either England or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Tuesday’s fixtures come after Paraguay stunned Germany on penalties, Morocco eliminated the Netherlands in a dramatic shootout, and Brazil fought back to defeat Japan 2-1 to book their place in the last 16.