France are beginning to look like the team everyone else must find a way to stop.
The former world champions have won four matches in a row at the World Cup and have scored at least three goals in each of them. Their latest statement came in a 3-0 victory over Sweden, a result that sent them into a last-16 meeting with Paraguay.
Paraguay arrive there after a surprise win over Germany, but the wider question around the tournament is no longer only about France’s next opponent. It is about whether anyone has enough to halt them.
Two levels above the rest
According to TV 2 Sport, football expert David Nielsen believes France have separated themselves from the rest of the field.
Read also: Who will win the 2026 World Cup Golden Boot?
“It is very, very difficult to see who will stop them, unless an accident happens, a red card comes, or something else,” Nielsen said.
He added that France have looked stronger than every other side he has watched during the tournament.
“Now we have been awake for almost three weeks. I have seen all the matches, and I can just say: This team is not one, but two levels above all other teams,” he said.
A squad built for every type of match
France’s strength is not limited to one star or one part of the pitch.
Read also: German FA headquarters raided in Euro 2024 bribery probe after World Cup exit
Kylian Mbappé remains the obvious attacking reference point, but he is surrounded by players capable of deciding matches in different ways. Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise add pace, creativity and unpredictability, while Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot give France a powerful platform in midfield.
Behind them, William Saliba, Jules Koundé and Mike Maignan provide the kind of defensive structure that allows the forwards to play with freedom.
That balance is part of the reason France have looked so difficult to control.
Spain may still ask difficult questions
France’s path could still contain serious tests.
Read also: Zlatan Ibrahimovic names his top five footballers
Argentina, who beat France in the 2022 World Cup final, can only meet them in the final this time. Spain, however, could become a possible semi-final opponent and may offer a different kind of challenge.
TV 2 Sport expert Jonas Hebo Goldmann pointed to Spain’s technical quality as one possible route to troubling France.
“I can well see Lamine Yamal making a fool of Lucas Digne. I can well see Rodri, Pedri, Fabian Ruiz, or whoever they choose, creating challenges for Tchouaméni and Rabiot,” Goldmann said.
It is a reminder that France may be the strongest team in the tournament, but they are not without areas opponents will try to attack.
Read also: Klopp on Nagelsmanns job as German national coach: 'Now is not the time'
A team from everywhere else
Nielsen, however, remains convinced that stopping France may require something far beyond a normal national team.
In his view, only a side made up of the best players from other countries would have a realistic chance.
“I think the only chance is if they assemble a team from all the other nations,” he said.
He then named a possible attacking group featuring Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland, supported by a Portuguese core including Vitinha, João Neves, João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Read also: Swiss referee legend attacks World Cup rules: “What is happening is not in the spirit of football”
“Then we can get the Portuguese midfield, Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, and Erling Haaland up front. That team would have a chance to beat France,” Nielsen said.
France now move on to Paraguay with momentum, confidence and a squad that appears to have very few weaknesses.
The tournament is not over, and knockout football can change quickly. But right now, France are setting the standard everyone else is chasing.
