Adrien Rabiot has warned France that the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout phase represents a “whole different competition” as Les Bleus prepare to face Sweden in Tuesday’s last-32 tie at East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium.
Speaking to media on Monday at the New York New Jersey ground, the AC Milan midfielder insisted Graham Potter’s side will not be underestimated despite France’s commanding group stage campaign. Les Bleus progressed with a near-perfect record, opening their account with a commanding 3-1 victory over Senegal before adding a comprehensive 3-0 win against Iraq and concluding with an impressive 4-1 triumph over Norway to top their group and establish significant momentum ahead of the sudden-death phase.
Rabiot, 31, acknowledged that Sweden possess sufficient attacking quality to punish any lapse in concentration, specifically citing the Premier League trio of Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Anthony Elanga as particular threats. “They have quality players. We’re taking this game very seriously,” he said. “We hear from outside that we’ll be the overwhelming favourites. Anything can happen.”
The French international suggested that Didier Deschamps’ side may need to modify their tactical approach and enhance their defensive efforts as they transition from the relative security of group play to the high-stakes environment of knockout football. While praising the defensive work rate of Les Bleus’ forward line, Rabiot indicated that greater caution and flexibility could become essential to survive the single-elimination format.
“We have an attacking quartet that puts in a lot of effort defensively, trying to maintain a certain discipline. Sometimes you have to take risks,” he explained. “As we progress in the competition, we might need to adjust some things, do a bit more.”
The fixture presents a stern examination for Potter’s Sweden, who advanced to the last-32 after progressing from their group and will rely on their dangerous attacking options to trouble a French side riding high on confidence. With elimination looming for the defeated side, Rabiot’s comments underline a determination within the French camp to maintain absolute focus despite their impressive group stage form and favourites tag.
The match kicks off on Tuesday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.