“We have to take them seriously”: Mbappé assesses France’s next opponent in the round of 16

Kylian Mbappé shared his thoughts after France’s commanding victory over Sweden in the 2026 World Cup round of 32, quickly shifting his focus to the tournament’s next stage.

Details: France defeated Sweden 3-0, with Mbappé netting twice and helping his team secure a spot in the round of 16, where they will face Paraguay.

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After the match, the French captain emphasized that he fully understands his role within the squad and the responsibility that comes with playing at the World Cup.

“I know what I’m playing for, where I am, and what I need to do. The team knows exactly what’s expected of us here,” Mbappé stated.

According to the forward, the knockout stage marks a fresh start for France. He admitted that the opening against Sweden was challenging, but the team soon found its rhythm.

“A new tournament has begun. Today, we played well despite a tough start. We got into the game and created chances we could have finished,” the French captain added.

Mbappé also spoke about Didier Deschamps, stressing that the team stands firmly behind their coach during trying times.

“It’s in our team’s DNA. We’re all in this together. The coach is going through a rough patch, which unfortunately affects everyone. But under no circumstances will we leave him alone. We’ll support him all the way,” Mbappé declared.

Turning to Paraguay, the striker insisted that France must approach their next opponent with utmost respect - especially after Paraguay’s shock win over Germany.

“Paraguay have shown they deserve to be taken seriously—they beat Germany. We’re going for the win,” Mbappé told M6 in an interview.

Let’s recall: France’s emphatic 3-0 win over Sweden made them the first team in World Cup history to score 3+ goals in five consecutive matches.