Potter commits to Sweden after France World Cup exit

Potter commits after the exit: "I'm staying"

Your World Cup is over. France 3–0 Sweden at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, and the round of 32 was a step too far (5) (10). But Graham Potter is not walking away.

"I'm staying," Potter said after the match (1) (2). He took Sweden to a knockout stage Jon Dahl Tomasson could not reach, and he is not done. Asked whether he would be cheering for anyone still in the tournament, Potter kept it simple: "I'm not cheering for anyone" (8).

Solbakken takes a swipe at the Tomasson era

Norway's head coach Ståle Solbakken had a verdict on the Sweden that came before Potter. "The most important thing Sweden have done is to stop playing kamikaze football," Solbakken said, pointing squarely at the Tomasson years (4). For a rival to say it, it stings.

Olise and Mbappé ran the show

Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappé tore through Sweden's backline at the MetLife. Olise scored and Mbappé got on the scoresheet in a 3–0 win that sent Les Bleus into the last 16 (5) (10). Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé were also involved in the goals (5).

Spain's Luis de la Fuente watched and was impressed. "The players I have are the best in the world," he said, but the praise was for France's performance against your team (9).

Bergvall gets the recognition he earned

Lucas Bergvall leaves the tournament with his reputation bigger than when he arrived. His childhood friend Charlie Nildén did not hold back: "In my opinion he's top two best in Sweden, and he shows it with his attitude and quality on the ball" (6). Bergvall was one of your team's brightest spots.

Stroud is backing Argentina now

Elliot Stroud, the left wing-back who went from Mjällby to a World Cup knockout tie against Dembélé, has picked his horse for the rest of the tournament. After the France loss, Stroud said he will be cheering for Argentina (7).

France move on, Sweden head home

France face Paraguay in the round of 16 (11). For Sweden, the tournament ends at the first knockout hurdle. Not the finish anyone wanted, but Potter's promise changes the conversation about what comes next.