Sweden arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with arguably the most exciting attacking line-up in their history. Manager Graham Potter has built a squad centred on three Premier League and European-based forwards — Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Anthony Elanga — who collectively represent one of the most dangerous forward units in the tournament.
The Swedes return to the World Cup stage after missing Qatar 2022 following their qualifying exit, and they do so with a renewed sense of purpose and a squad that mixes experienced campaigners with a core of young, high-performing players.
Group F: Netherlands · Japan · Sweden · Tunisia
Opening match: Sweden vs Tunisia — 14 June 2026, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Full Squad
| Player | Position | Club | Previous World Cups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viktor Johansson | Goalkeeper | Stoke City | 0 |
| Kristoffer Nordfeldt | Goalkeeper | AIK | 1 (2018) |
| Jacob Widell Zetterstrom | Goalkeeper | Derby County | 0 |
| Hjalmar Ekdal | Defender | Burnley | 0 |
| Gabriel Gudmundsson | Defender | Leeds United | 0 |
| Isak Hien | Defender | Atalanta | 0 |
| Emil Holm | Defender | Juventus | 0 |
| Gustaf Lagerbielke | Defender | Braga | 0 |
| Victor Lindelöf | Defender | Aston Villa | 1 (2018) |
| Erik Smith | Defender | St. Pauli | 0 |
| Carl Starfelt | Defender | Celta Vigo | 0 |
| Elliot Stroud | Defender | Mjällby | 0 |
| Daniel Svensson | Defender | Borussia Dortmund | 0 |
| Taha Ali | Midfielder | Malmö | 0 |
| Yasin Ayari | Midfielder | Brighton | 0 |
| Lucas Bergvall | Midfielder | Tottenham | 0 |
| Jesper Karlström | Midfielder | Udinese | 0 |
| Ken Sema | Midfielder | Pafos | 0 |
| Mattias Svanberg | Midfielder | Wolfsburg | 0 |
| Besfort Zeneli | Midfielder | Union Saint-Gilloise | 0 |
| Alexander Bernhardsson | Forward | Holstein Kiel | 0 |
| Anthony Elanga | Forward | Newcastle United | 0 |
| Viktor Gyökeres | Forward | Arsenal | 0 |
| Alexander Isak | Forward | Liverpool | 0 |
| Gustaf Nilsson | Forward | Club Brugge | 0 |
| Benjamin Nygren | Forward | Celtic | 0 |
Key Players to Watch
Alexander Isak has been one of the most impressive strikers in European football over the past two seasons. The Liverpool forward combines elite pace, technical ability and an aerial presence unusual for a player of his build. He is Sweden's main attacking threat and one of the tournament's most exciting individual players to watch.
Viktor Gyökeres completes a remarkable attacking partnership at the top of the squad. The Arsenal striker's form in the Premier League and Europe has been exceptional, and his physical directness and goal-scoring instinct make him an alternative — or complement — to Isak that most squads at this tournament would envy.
Lucas Bergvall is the midfield player attracting the most attention. The Tottenham midfielder is still at the beginning of his career but is already regarded as one of the most technically accomplished players of his generation. The World Cup stage could serve as his global coming-out party.
Group Stage Outlook
Group F is the most evenly balanced group on paper. The Netherlands are the group favourites but have inconsistency issues that have persisted through recent tournaments. Japan are capable of beating anyone, as they showed against Germany and Spain at Qatar 2022. Tunisia are compact, experienced and will not be an easy three points.
Sweden's opening match against Tunisia is the key fixture. Victory there would give Sweden momentum and control over their qualifying fate. The Netherlands game will test their defensive structure, and if they can minimise the damage, a second-place finish remains within reach.
Potter will set Sweden up to be direct and hard to play through. The combination of physical midfielders and rapid forwards suits that approach perfectly. If the defensive organisation is right, Sweden can hurt any team they face in the knockout rounds.
Squad Profile
Only Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Victor Lindelöf have previous World Cup experience from 2018. The rest of the squad is making their tournament debut, which for a group of players of this quality represents genuine potential.
Sweden's reliance on players performing at the highest European level is clear from the club list: Liverpool, Arsenal, Juventus, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and Brighton all feature. That level of day-to-day competition has produced a squad that is physically and technically ready.
FAQ
Who manages Sweden at the 2026 World Cup?
Graham Potter, the English manager known for his work at Brighton in the Premier League.
Who are Sweden's key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres are the headline attackers. Victor Lindelöf anchors the defence, and Lucas Bergvall is the most exciting young midfielder in the squad.
When do Sweden play their first game at the 2026 World Cup?
Sweden open Group F against Tunisia on 14 June 2026 at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico.
Did Sweden qualify for the 2022 World Cup?
No — Sweden missed the 2022 World Cup after losing their qualifying play-off. The 2026 tournament marks their return to the competition.