William Saliba will face his Arsenal teammate Viktor Gyokeres as France takes on Sweden in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 on June 30. France won all three group-stage games and finished top of Group I.
What's at Stake?
France is seeking to advance to the next round after a strong group-stage performance. Sweden finished third in Group F with four points and progressed to the knockout stages as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
Gyokeres has claimed that he is looking forward to facing his club teammate. He said: “We have to be at our best & take the chances we’re going to get in the game. I’m looking forward to seeing William Saliba & playing against him, it’s going to be fun!”
Head-to-Head Matchup
Gyokeres has shared the pitch with Saliba on 45 occasions as teammates and also once as opponents when he was at Sporting CP, where Arsenal won 5-1. Gyokeres joined Arsenal in the summer of 2025 and played a key role in their Premier League win.
The 28-year-old scored 21 goals and provided three assists in 55 games across competitions. Gyokeres and Saliba will put their club friendship aside as they compete for their respective countries in the FIFA World Cup.
The Road to the Knockout Stage
Sweden finished third in Group F with four points, while France won all three group-stage games and finished top of Group I. The two teams will face off on June 30, with the winner advancing to the next round.
The match promises to be an exciting one, with both teams looking to advance in the tournament. William Saliba and Viktor Gyokeres will be key players for their respective teams, and their head-to-head matchup will be one to watch.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has seen some exciting matches so far, and this one is expected to be no exception. With France seeking to advance and Sweden looking to pull off an upset, the stage is set for a thrilling matchup on June 30.