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France have looked exceptionally dominant at the World Cup so far, sweeping aside Norway, Senegal, and Iraq to comfortably top what initially appeared to be a challenging group.

Their next test comes against Sweden, who conceded seven goals in the group stage. Most observers expect Les Bleus to advance smoothly to the round of 16.

Although many anticipated that France would face Germany in the knockout stage, it now appears they will instead meet a defensively solid Paraguay side — provided they overcome Sweden.

Kylian Mbappe has been in sensational form, scoring four goals in the tournament already, underlining France’s attacking prowess.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Argentina played most of their matches at the Lusail Stadium, including their quarter-final, semi-final, and the final. Lionel Messi and his teammates became increasingly comfortable at the venue, turning it into a fortress by the end of the tournament.

France could experience a similar benefit this time, as they are set to play at the New York New Jersey Stadium for the second time in their round of 32 fixture. Didier Deschamps’ men opened their campaign there with a convincing victory over Senegal, and could potentially return to the same ground for the final on July 19.

Familiarity with a stadium can be a crucial advantage during major tournaments, where adapting quickly to the environment often plays a key role in success.

France’s victory over Senegal in New Jersey showcased their comfort and composure at that venue. But the advantage doesn’t stop there. They also played at the Philadelphia Stadium during the group stage, defeating Iraq 3-0 despite a weather delay, and at the Boston Stadium where they overpowered Norway 4-1.

If France manage to beat Sweden, they will face Paraguay in Philadelphia — keeping them on the East Coast of the United States. Should they reach the final, France will have played three of their eight matches at New York/New Jersey, ensuring minimal travel and a consistent environment.

These small but important factors can prove decisive in the knockout stages. However, the sheer quality and depth of France’s squad remain their greatest strength.

Mbappe’s blistering start has set the tone for the team, while Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise have also impressed with their performances and creativity in attack.

France’s combination of tactical familiarity, squad depth, and venue consistency could well be the overlooked advantage that helps them claim their third World Cup crown.