16 Jun
Tue
•3:00pm
MetLife Stadium • New York
22 Jun
Mon
•5:00pm
Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia
26 Jun
Fri
•3:00pm
Gillette Stadium • Boston
13 Jun
Sat
•12:00pm
Levi's Stadium • San Francisco
18 Jun
Thu
•12:00pm
SoFi Stadium • Los Angeles
24 Jun
Wed
•12:00pm
BC Place Stadium • Vancouver
The value of the points at stake turns this matchup into a do-or-die battle in the middle of the group stage: a single slip could leave either side on the ropes. The reigning World Cup runners-up, firmly settled in the FIFA top 3, look to dictate the tempo through possession and creative play between the lines, with an attacking firepower that’s incredibly hard to contain.
Facing them is the always stubborn Swiss side, currently sitting in the world’s top 20, known for their compact shape, tactical discipline and a ruthless efficiency when it comes to punishing any mistake. The memory of that 3-3 at Euro 2020, finally settled in favor of the Alpine team in a penalty shootout, is still fresh and adds extra spice to the clash. At a World Cup there’s no room for holding back: every win can be the difference between staying alive or packing your bags, so you can expect a contest of total focus, high tempo and maximum competitive tension from the opening whistle.
The French team’s recent pedigree, with back-to-back finals on the biggest stage, is built on the authority of Kylian Mbappé, top scorer at Qatar 2022 and the undisputed leader of the attack. Around him, players like Griezmann and Tchouameni bring balance and experience to a squad that thrives on big occasions.
On the opposite side, the Swiss outfit boasts impressive consistency, stringing together appearances in the round of 16 and maintaining a recognizable core: the leadership of Granit Xhaka in midfield, Akanji’s authority at the back and Embolo’s power up front. Seeing these two footballing schools go head to head at a World Cup is a rare privilege: make sure you’ve got your seat secured to experience this clash live.