This article is part of the World Cup 2026 Experts’ Network, a collaboration among leading media organizations from the 48 nations that qualified. As the tournament approaches, previews from three countries are being shared daily, with the event set to begin on June 11.
Initial Struggles
Sweden’s quest for World Cup qualification began poorly, earning only one point from their first four matches under Jon Dahl Tomasson. Following a disappointing 1-0 loss to Kosovo in October 2025, the Danish coach was relieved of his duties.
Graham Potter took over the reins, returning to coaching after a successful stint at Östersund from 2011 to 2017, where he transformed the club from the fourth division to Allsvenskan, winning the cup and even defeating Arsenal in the Europa League.
Under Potter, the team reverted to traditional Swedish football values, emphasizing a solid defense complemented by swift counterattacks. Although he initially favored a four-man backline, he opted for a 5-3-2 formation during the playoffs, prioritizing defensive stability.
Thanks to a strong performance in the Nations League, Sweden found their way back into World Cup contention. They triumphed 3-1 over Ukraine in Spain’s semifinals, highlighted by a hat-trick from Viktor Gyökeres. The final against Poland proved to be a nail-biter; despite Poland’s dominance, Gyökeres scored a dramatic late winner, sealing a 3-2 victory.
“It’s hard to explain, hard to describe,” a thrilled Potter reflected. “Just an incredible evening, just so proud to be part of that and obviously proud to experience it. It was just the best night I’ve had in football. Incredible, like I was having some sort of out-of-body experience. I’m looking at the goal and suddenly all our bench is running and you’re thinking: ‘Am I here?’ I’m just grateful to be part of that.”
Despite finishing with only two points from six matches in their qualifying group, Sweden secured a World Cup spot. They will face Tunisia, the Netherlands, and Japan as they aim for advancement to the knockout stage—this is the Potter effect at work.
However, they will miss key player Dejan Kulusevski, whose absence will be felt in North America. Questions also loom over Alexander Isak’s form and fitness; he scored in a concerning 3-1 loss to Norway on June 1 after coming off the bench.
Leadership Change
In an October 2025 interview with Fotbollskanalen, Graham Potter expressed a strong desire to coach Sweden, stating, “I have feelings for Sweden,” Just days later, he was appointed, and despite a slow start with no wins in his first two matches, the Swedish FA was so impressed that they extended his contract to 2030 in March. Potter’s proficiency in Swedish has made this role an ideal fit for him after his challenging tenures with Chelsea and West Ham.
Key Player
While Alexander Isak became the most expensive player in Premier League history last year when he transferred from Newcastle to Liverpool for £125 million, the true star for the national team is Viktor Gyökeres. The Arsenal forward also faced early challenges at his new club but has recently found his stride, netting four of Sweden’s six goals in the playoff matches. His popularity surged following the dramatic late goal against Poland, inspiring fans nationwide to share their renditions of his goal celebration, influenced by Bane from The Dark Knight Rises.
Player to Watch
Aside from Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren, another player who may play a significant role in North America is Gustaf Lagerbielke. The Braga defender delivered an essential performance in the playoff final against Poland, scoring with a powerful header while successfully containing Robert Lewandowski. The intriguing aspect of Lagerbielke is his title as a baron, and discussions are underway regarding a potential move to one of Europe’s top five leagues this summer. A strong showing at the World Cup could enhance his prospects.
Unsung Contributor
To achieve success this summer, Sweden must contend with the technically adept Netherlands and a determined Japan team. Jesper Karlström, captain of Serie A’s Udinese, will play a vital role. A late bloomer, he took time to establish himself at Djurgården before transferring to Polish club Lech Poznan. Karlström has openly discussed overcoming a gambling addiction during his time at Djurgården, aided by support from his family and the club. Possessing the classic attributes of a deep-lying midfielder, he is solid defensively and adept at controlling play. At 30, his calming presence will be crucial in a midfield that includes younger players like Yasin Ayari and Lucas Bergvall.
Projected Starting XI
Fan Expectations
Swedish fans are known for traveling in large numbers to tournaments and making their presence felt. Supporters of Blågult (blue and yellow) are generally friendly and engage in banter with rival fans. Their anthem, “I love the country and I love Swedish football. Coaching the national team would be an incredible opportunity for me, absolutely.” celebrates the arrival of beer pitchers, reflecting the Swedish love for social drinking. The lyrics proclaim: “We are coming with 100,000 men”—while an actual Viking invasion is not expected in America, a sizable yellow-and-blue contingent will certainly be present at the World Cup.
Historical Context
In 2017, President Trump made headlines with his comment, “Look what happened in Sweden last night.” addressing immigration issues and terrorism. However, the truth was that nothing significant had occurred in Sweden on that night. Trump later clarified he was referencing a TV report from Fox News, which did little to clarify the situation. The Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet summarized the events of that day:
- Famous singer Owe Thörnqvist experienced technical difficulties during rehearsals.
- A man self-immolated in a plaza in central Stockholm.
- Roads in northern Sweden were closed due to severe weather conditions.
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