Sweden at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Sweden have one of the longer World Cup traditions in Europe, having appeared at the tournament 13 times including 2026. Their best result came at the 1958 World Cup, which they hosted, reaching the final before losing 5-2 to Brazil. They also finished third in 1950 and again in 1994, when Tomas Brolin, Kennet Andersson, and Martin Dahlin led a side that scored 15 goals in seven matches, more than any other team in that tournament. Sweden have 0 world titles.

Qualification

Sweden's road to qualification was turbulent. Former coach Jon Dahl Tomasson was sacked in October 2025 after Sweden took just one point from four UEFA qualifying matches and sat bottom of their group. Graham Potter was appointed on October 20, 2025 on a short-term contract, with the sole aim of keeping qualification alive through the Nations League play-off route. Sweden advanced to the UEFA play-offs via their Nations League standing. Potter won his first match as Sweden manager on March 26, 2026, with a 3-1 victory over Ukraine in the play-off semi-final, Viktor Gyokeres scoring a hat-trick. Sweden then defeated Poland 3-2 in the play-off final to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup. Potter's contract was subsequently extended to 2030.

Preparation

Graham Potter announced his final 26-man squad on May 12, 2026. Captain Victor Lindelof heads the defensive unit, while Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak form a formidable attacking partnership. Emil Holm withdrew with a muscle injury on May 30 and was replaced by FC Dallas right-back Herman Johansson. Sweden played two warm-up friendlies (Norway 3-1 on June 1; Greece 2-2 on June 4) and based themselves in Frisco, Texas. In the group stage, Sweden beat Tunisia 5-1 (June 15), lost 5-1 to the Netherlands (June 20), and drew 1-1 with Japan on June 25 (Elanga 62') to finish third in Group F with four points. They advanced as one of the eight best third-placed teams. A major blow: centre-back Isak Hien suffered a left hamstring injury at 37' of the Japan match and was confirmed out of the tournament by national team doctor Jonas Werner. Starfelt came on at 87' vs Japan, his first tournament appearance. Sweden faced France in the Round of 32 on June 30 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, losing 3-0 (Mbappe 45', 74'; Barcola 53') to exit the tournament, their earliest World Cup elimination since 1990. Potter said France were simply the better team and pointed to Sweden's young squad having 'a lot of good things ahead of us.'

Latest news

Sweden eliminated from World Cup, beaten 3-0 by France in Round of 32

· matches

France beat Sweden 3-0 at MetLife Stadium in the Round of 32: Mbappe twice (45', 74', second via Olise assist), Barcola (53'). Elanga set up Stroud's best chance, blazed over. Potter: 'The better team won... I haven't seen a better team,' adding Sweden are 'a young developing team with a lot of good things ahead.' Sweden's earliest World Cup exit since 1990.

Isak Hien ruled out of World Cup with left hamstring injury sustained against Japan

· injuries

Centre-back Isak Hien was forced off injured in the 37th minute against Japan. National team doctor Jonas Werner confirmed: 'Isak has sustained an injury in his left hamstring to such an extent that he will not be able to participate further in the World Cup.' Potter said: 'Having to end the World Cup in this way with an injury is very sad.' Hien returns to Atalanta for extended rehabilitation.

Sweden draw 1-1 with Japan to advance to Round of 32 as best third-placed team in Group F

· matches

Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan at AT&T Stadium, Arlington. Daizen Maeda (56') gave Japan the lead, a team goal set up by Ritsu Doan; Anthony Elanga (62', assisted by Gyokeres) equalised. Hien was forced off injured at 37'; Starfelt came on at 87'. Japan finished second (5pts), Sweden third (4pts). Both advanced. Sweden face France in the Round of 32 on June 30 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.

Potter praises Japan and accepts pressure ahead of must-win Group F decider

· matches

Potter praised Japan as 'one of the best-functioning teams' at the tournament, citing their speed, midfield, flanks and defence. He acknowledged pressure: 'It would be strange not to feel pressure.' He declined to discuss tactics: 'My greatest responsibility is to the team and the players.' No new injuries; Goal.com confirmed no sidelined players for Sweden.

Netherlands rout Sweden 5-1 to leave Group F qualification in the balance

· matches

Sweden lost 5-1 to the Netherlands at NRG Stadium, Houston. Brobbey scored twice in the opening 17 minutes, Gakpo added a double (47', 54'), and Summerville sealed it (89'). Elanga got Sweden's reply (59'). Starfelt was again unused. Potter: 'You can't concede that many and hope to win. They hurt us in the wide areas.' Sweden need a win vs Japan on June 25 to advance.

Potter: Isak 'getting stronger and stronger' as World Cup continues

· injuries

Coach Graham Potter said Alexander Isak will 'get stronger and stronger as the tournament goes.' Isak had an interrupted season at Liverpool; Potter: 'He's not at absolute maximum yet, but he'll get there.' Isak played 89 minutes against Tunisia - more than in any single appearance for club or country since returning from a broken leg in April.

Sweden thrash Tunisia 5-1 to top Group F on opening day

· matches

Sweden won 5-1 over Tunisia at Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe. Ayari scored a long-range brace (7', 90+6'), Isak (30'), Gyokeres (59') and substitute Svanberg (84', 18 seconds after coming on) completed the scoring; Rekik replied (43'). Ayari, whose father is Tunisian, held back celebrations. Isak won Player of the Match. Sweden top Group F; Gyokeres has 21 international goals, Isak 18.

Gudmundsson returns to full training after illness, on track for Tunisia opener

· injuries

Gabriel Gudmundsson rejoined Sweden's full training session on June 12, three days before the Tunisia opener. Press officer Petra Thoren confirmed he had a recovery session during the squad's rest day on Thursday and that 'the plan is for him to train fully.' He had been isolated at the team hotel in Frisco since June 9 with illness.

Gudmundsson still in a bad state, misses third day of training at Frisco camp

· injuries

Sweden press officer Petra Thoren told Sportbladet on June 11 that Gudmundsson remained at the team hotel: 'Everyone is in training except Gabriel who is still at the hotel. He is still in a bad state.' She declined to specify the nature of his illness, saying 'I won't go into what it is.' Sweden open against Tunisia on June 15.

Gudmundsson falls ill at Frisco camp, kept isolated days before opener

· injuries

Left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson missed training on June 9 and June 10 with illness, having stayed at the team hotel with mild symptoms. By June 10 press officer Petra Thoren said he was kept isolated from the squad while medical staff monitored him. No diagnosis or timeline was given, leaving his availability for the June 15 opener against Tunisia uncertain. He was already a hamstring doubt.

Sweden arrive at Frisco, Texas base camp for the World Cup

· general

Sweden's squad arrived in North Texas on Saturday, June 6, to set up their tournament base camp in Frisco. The team will train at Toyota Stadium (to be renamed Frisco Stadium during the World Cup) and use the facility for daily training, recovery and team operations between their Group F matches.

Gyökeres free-kick not enough as Greece draw 2-2 in Sweden's final warm-up

· matches

Sweden were held 2-2 by Greece at Strawberry Arena in Solna in their last friendly before the World Cup. Viktor Gyökeres curled in a deflected free-kick for his 20th international goal (53') and Gustaf Nilsson put Sweden 2-1 ahead (69'), but Kostas Tsimikas had given Greece an early lead (10') and Georgios Masouras equalised with the last kick of the game in stoppage time (90+5').

Norway beat Sweden 3-1 in Oslo World Cup warm-up

· matches

Sweden lost their penultimate pre-tournament friendly 3-1 to Norway at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo. Jorgen Strand Larsen scored twice and Antonio Nusa added the third for the hosts; Alexander Isak netted Sweden's only goal. Viktor Gyokeres sat out after the Champions League final, and Eric Smith made his Sweden debut. Graham Potter made eight changes at half-time after a weak first-half display.

Emil Holm out of World Cup with muscle injury, Herman Johansson called up

· injuries

The Swedish FA announced on 30 May that Juventus defender Emil Holm has withdrawn from the 26-man World Cup squad with a muscle injury expected to keep him out for several weeks. FC Dallas right-back Herman Johansson was called up as his replacement, and Sebastian Nanasi was promoted to the standby list.

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Jacob Widell ZetterströmGKDerby County
Viktor JohanssonGKStoke City
Kristoffer NordfeldtGKAIK Solna
Victor LindelöfDFAston Villa
Isak HienDFAtalanta
Carl StarfeltDFCelta Vigo
Gustaf LagerbielkeDFSC Braga
Gabriel GudmundssonDFLeeds United
Herman JohanssonDFFC Dallas
Daniel SvenssonDFBorussia Dortmund
Hjalmar EkdalDFBurnley
Eric SmithDFFC St. Pauli
Elliot StroudDFMjällby AIF
Lucas BergvallMFTottenham Hotspur
Mattias SvanbergMFVfL Wolfsburg
Jesper KarlströmMFUdinese
Yasin AyariMFBrighton & Hove Albion
Besfort ZeneliMFUnion Saint-Gilloise
Ken SemaMFPafos FC
Viktor GyökeresFWArsenal
Alexander IsakFWLiverpool
Anthony ElangaFWNewcastle United
Benjamin NygrenFWCeltic
Gustaf NilssonFWClub Brugge
Taha AliFWMalmö FF
Alexander BernhardssonFWHolstein Kiel

Recent results

  • 2024-01-12 — SWE 2-1 EST (friendly)
  • 2024-03-21 — POR 5-2 SWE (friendly)
  • 2024-03-25 — SWE 1-0 ALB (friendly)
  • 2024-06-05 — DEN 2-1 SWE (friendly)
  • 2024-06-08 — SWE 0-3 SRB (friendly)
  • 2025-03-22 — LUX 1-0 SWE (friendly)
  • 2025-03-25 — SWE 5-1 NIR (friendly)
  • 2025-06-06 — HUN 0-2 SWE (friendly)
  • 2025-06-10 — SWE 4-3 ALG (friendly)
  • 2025-09-05 — SVN 2-2 SWE (qualification)
  • 2025-09-08 — KOS 2-0 SWE (qualification)
  • 2025-10-10 — SWE 0-2 SUI (qualification)
  • 2025-10-13 — SWE 0-1 KOS (qualification)
  • 2025-11-15 — SUI 4-1 SWE (qualification)
  • 2025-11-18 — SWE 1-1 SVN (qualification)
  • 2026-03-26 — UKR 1-3 SWE (qualification)
  • 2026-03-31 — SWE 3-2 POL (qualification)
  • 2026-06-01 — NOR 3-1 SWE (friendly)
  • 2026-06-04 — SWE 2-2 GRE (friendly)
  • 2026-06-15 — SWE 5-1 TUN (group)
  • 2026-06-20 — NED 5-1 SWE (group)
  • 2026-06-25 — JPN 1-1 SWE (group)
  • 2026-06-30 — FRA 3-0 SWE (round_of_32)

View Group F →