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Sweden surprised everyone by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. While known for its football heritage, its participation in this tournament was not guaranteed. This marks Sweden’s 13th appearance in the World Cup. Graham Potter, appointed “Forbundskapten”, as late as last October, made crucial changes to the set up of former chief Jon Dahl Tomassen.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s final game managing the Sweden national team was a 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on October 13, 2025, at Nya Ullevi in Gothenburg.
The team vs. Kosovo was the following. Johansson, Lindelof, Hien, Lagerbielke, Gudmundsson, Svensson, Ayari, Bergwall, Bernhardsson, Isak, Gyokores. On the field as subs, Saletros, Elanga, Bardgjhi and Sema. Other players in the squad; Tornqvist, Nordfeldt, Ekdal, Starfelt, Holm, Karlstrom, Larsson and Nygren.
Graham Potter took over, but nothing looked to have changed, having a tough start, losing 1-4 to Switzerland and drawing 1-1 with Slovenia. Despite this poor beginning, he gained a clearer perspective for the upcoming play-offs.
The team vs. Slovenia was the following; Zetterstrom, Krafth, Lindelof, Starfelt, Svensson, Sema, Svanberg, Seneli, Lungren, Lidberg og Bardgjhi. On the field as subs, Forsberg, Gudmundsson, Lagerbielke, Bernhardsson and Johansson. Other players in the squad; Tornqvist, Nordfeldt, Karlstrom, Hien, Ayari, Nygren and Isak.
A major reason for that difficult start, might have something to do with the absence of Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres as well as having Liverpool’s Alexander Isak not able to play either. He is one very special player, being available for those play-off games vs. Ukraine and Poland. Both Spurs players Lucas Bergwall and Dejan Kulusewski out injured at the time.
Viktor Gyokores returned to the team for the playoff games. The team vs. Ukraine was the following. Nordfeldt, Lindelof, Hien, Lagerbielke, Gudmundsson, Karlstrom, Ajari, Johansson, Elange, Nygren, Gyokores. On the field as subs, Starfelt, Bergvall, Svensson. The other players in the squad; Svanberg, Ellborg, Tornqvist, Smith, Zeneli, Larsson, Abdi Ali, Nilsson, Bardghji
OFFICIAL: Sweden have named their 26-man squad for the World Cup. 🇸🇪#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/ZAJegl2Ssg
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 12, 2026
The team played Poland in the final play-off game with one change: Carl Starfelt replaced the injured Isak Hien. Gustav Lundgren, from GAIS, was also part of the squad, coming on in the second half and helped secure Sweden’s impressive win.
Graham Potter managed the impossible to take Sweden to the World Cup. He announced his squad selection for the tournament on the 12th of May, when his final 26 players were selected.
Swedish Football News Outlet, “Fotbollskanalen”, reported on the players excluded from the World Cup. Graham Potter, said he found the selection process very challenging and of course leaving out certain individuals are no fun.
There were a few surprises among the players left out. To see Noel Törnqvist, Melker Ellborg, Herman Johansson (is a back up if Starfelt can’t make it), Samuel Dahl, Emil Forsberg, Hugo Larsson, Roony Bardghji, Williot Swedberg och Sebastian Nanasi all in the sofa, shows how hard this must have been. Even Spurs player, Dejan Kulusevski was left out.
The final Sweden 2026 World Cup squad; * (Domestic League Players)
Goalkeepers: Johansson (Stoke), Nordfeldt (AIK*), Zetterstrom (Derby), Defenders: Lagerbielke (Braga), Lindelof (Aston Villa), Hien (Atalanta), Gudmundsson (Leeds), Holm (Juventus), Svensson (Dortmund), Ekdal (Burnley), Starfelt (Celta), Smith (St. Pauli), Stroud (Mjallby*), Midfield: Bergvall (Spurs), Karlstrom (Udinese), Ayari (Brighton), Svanberg (Wolfsburg), Zeneli (Union SG), Forwards: Isak (Liverpool), Gyokeres (Arsenal), Bernhardsson (Kiel), Nilsson (Brugge), Ali (Malmo*), Sema (Pafos), Nygren (Celtic), Elanga (Newcastle)
Victor Lindelof (75 caps) and Alexander Isak (56 caps) are the experienced players. Emil Forsberg (92 caps) and Emil Krafth (52 caps) are both players of great experience, to have been selected by Graham Potter in the past, but not good enough this time. Lindelof is the only player of the squad with experience from this type of event, being selected for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Sweden are drawn with Japan, Tunisia and Holland. A difficult task, but still the quality of this team can see them getting far. The choir of sceptical journalists and pundits are seen. Even “Medel Svensson” has “his” questions.
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