Sweden’s World Cup squad 2026 is set. Head coach Graham Potter named his final 26-player roster on May 12, 2026. Captain Victor Lindelöf leads the group. Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak headline the attack. The Blågult are in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Japan. This is their 13th World Cup. They missed Qatar 2022 entirely. They are back after a wild qualifying ride that ended with a 3-2 playoff win over Poland.
You will find the full Sweden World Cup squad 2026 below. Each player has club, age, senior caps, and international goals listed. The group fixtures, kickoff times in ET and CEST, and venues are also here. The Blågult open against Tunisia on June 14 in Monterrey.
Bottom line: Potter has two world-class strikers in his front line. Gyökeres was Arsenal’s top domestic scorer this season and the hero of Sweden’s playoff run. Isak returns from a fibula injury that kept him out for nearly five months at Liverpool. Captain Lindelöf brings nearly five years of armband experience. The midfield is younger and less proven, but Lucas Bergvall and Yasin Ayari give Sweden Premier League quality. Group F is winnable. The Netherlands are favorites but not unbeatable.
Sweden World Cup Squad 2026: Full 26-Player Roster
Sweden’s final 26-player squad was officially announced on May 12, 2026, by head coach Graham Potter at the Swedish Football Association headquarters in Solna. The breakdown is three goalkeepers, ten defenders, six midfielders, and seven forwards.
Sweden was the second nation to publish its full roster, after Bosnia and Herzegovina. Liverpool striker Alexander Isak returned to the squad after missing the March playoffs through injury. Long-term injury absentee Dejan Kulusevski was left out.
| Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Kristoffer Nordfeldt | AIK Solna | 36 | 14 | 0 |
| GK | Viktor Johansson | Stoke City | 27 | 9 | 0 |
| GK | Jacob Widell Zetterström | Derby County | 27 | 4 | 0 |
| DF | Victor Lindelöf (C) | Aston Villa | 31 | 75 | 3 |
| DF | Hjalmar Ekdal | Burnley | 27 | 14 | 0 |
| DF | Isak Hien | Atalanta | 26 | 22 | 1 |
| DF | Carl Starfelt | Celta Vigo | 31 | 19 | 0 |
| DF | Gabriel Gudmundsson | Leeds United | 26 | 18 | 0 |
| DF | Daniel Svensson | Borussia Dortmund | 23 | 11 | 0 |
| DF | Gustaf Lagerbielke | SC Braga | 26 | 9 | 1 |
| DF | Emil Holm | Juventus | 26 | 16 | 2 |
| DF | Eric Smith | FC St. Pauli | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | Elliot Stroud | Mjällby AIF | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| MF | Mattias Svanberg | VfL Wolfsburg | 27 | 25 | 3 |
| MF | Jesper Karlström | Udinese | 30 | 20 | 0 |
| MF | Yasin Ayari | Brighton | 22 | 14 | 0 |
| MF | Lucas Bergvall | Tottenham | 20 | 12 | 1 |
| MF | Besfort Zeneli | Union Saint-Gilloise | 23 | 5 | 0 |
| MF | Ken Sema | Pafos FC | 32 | 32 | 5 |
| FW | Viktor Gyökeres | Arsenal | 28 | 27 | 16 |
| FW | Alexander Isak | Liverpool | 26 | 50+ | 17 |
| FW | Anthony Elanga | Newcastle | 24 | 22 | 3 |
| FW | Benjamin Nygren | Celtic | 24 | 8 | 2 |
| FW | Gustaf Nilsson | Club Brugge | 28 | 9 | 2 |
| FW | Taha Ali | Malmö FF | 24 | 5 | 1 |
| FW | Alexander Bernhardsson | Holstein Kiel | 27 | 13 | 1 |
Caps and goals are correct as of March 31, 2026, the date of Sweden’s final playoff match against Poland.
For all 48 country squads, see our central World Cup 2026 squads hub.
Quick Stats
Sweden’s squad mixes Premier League stars with Allsvenskan grafters. Ten players play in England. Three are based in Sweden’s domestic league.
- Average age: 26.5 years
- Most experienced: Victor Lindelöf, 75 caps
- Top scorer: Alexander Isak, 17 international goals
- Youngest player: Lucas Bergvall, 20
- Oldest player: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, 36
- English-based players: 10
- Players with zero caps: 2 (Elliot Stroud, Eric Smith)
- Top scorer in playoffs: Viktor Gyökeres, 4 goals across two matches
Key Players
Viktor Gyökeres is the headline name. The Arsenal striker scored a hat-trick against Ukraine and the 88th-minute winning goal against Poland in the playoffs. He bagged 14 Premier League goals for Arsenal in his debut season after joining from Sporting CP in summer 2025. He also has the UEFA Champions League final to play on May 30. Sweden’s World Cup hopes ride on him.
Alexander Isak is the other half of the strike pair. Liverpool’s £125 million signing suffered a fibula fracture and ankle injury on December 20, 2025, after a Micky van de Ven tackle. He had surgery and missed nearly five months, including Sweden’s March playoff games. He returned in late April. Potter said Sweden’s “challenge is to get Alex in the best moment of the season.”
Victor Lindelöf captains the side from center-back. The Aston Villa defender has worn the armband since August 2021 and brings 75 caps of experience. He left Manchester United on a free transfer last summer after eight seasons at Old Trafford.
Lucas Bergvall is the future. The 20-year-old Tottenham midfielder is one of Sweden’s brightest prospects. He gives the midfield press resistance and progressive passing.
Anthony Elanga carries the pace. The Newcastle winger moved from Nottingham Forest in summer 2025 and gives Sweden a direct threat in transition.
Sweden Group F Fixtures
The Blågult are in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Japan. All three group games are in the United States and Mexico. Kickoff times are listed in Eastern Time (ET) and Central European Summer Time (CEST).
| Date | Match | Venue | Kickoff (ET) | Kickoff (CEST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jun 14 | Sweden vs Tunisia | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey | 10:00 PM | 4:00 AM (Mon) |
| Sat, Jun 20 | Netherlands vs Sweden | NRG Stadium, Houston | 1:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Thu, Jun 25 | Japan vs Sweden | AT&T Stadium, Arlington | 7:00 PM | 1:00 AM (Fri) |
The opener against Tunisia is late evening in Mexico and the small hours in Sweden. The Netherlands clash is a Saturday afternoon kickoff perfect for Stockholm prime time. The Japan game finishes after midnight in Sweden.
Before the tournament, Sweden play two warm-up friendlies. They visit Norway at Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo on June 1, then host Greece at Strawberry Arena in Solna on June 4.
How Sweden Qualified for World Cup 2026
Sweden took the long road. They finished bottom of UEFA Group B with just two points. They drew twice and lost four times. They never won a match in qualifying.
Jon Dahl Tomasson was sacked on October 14, 2025, after a 1-0 home loss to Kosovo the night before. Graham Potter was appointed six days later. His brief was simple: get to the World Cup.
Sweden reached the European playoffs through their 2024-25 UEFA Nations League Group C1 win, which made them one of the four best-ranked Nations League group winners eligible for the playoff route. In the playoff semifinal on March 26, 2026, they beat Ukraine 3-1 in Valencia. Gyökeres scored a hat-trick. The final on March 31 at Strawberry Arena in Solna against Poland was tight. Sweden won 3-2. Gyökeres got the winner in the 88th minute.
Sweden have now qualified for their 13th World Cup. They missed Qatar 2022 entirely.
Head Coach: Graham Potter
Graham Potter took the Sweden job on October 20, 2025. He replaced Jon Dahl Tomasson, who was sacked after just one point from four qualifiers. Potter signed a short-term deal first. After taking Sweden through the playoffs, his contract was extended through 2030.
Potter is English. He is the only English manager at the 2026 World Cup. He is also only the second foreign coach in Sweden’s national-team history. The first was George Raynor, who led Sweden to the 1958 World Cup final on home soil.
Potter is best known for his work at Brighton between 2019 and 2022, where his possession-based football turned the club into a top-half Premier League side. He had less successful spells at Chelsea and West Ham before taking the Sweden job in October 2025.
He has Swedish roots. From 2011 to 2018, he managed Östersunds FK. He led them from the fourth tier to the top flight and into the UEFA Europa League knockout rounds. The Swedish FA knew exactly what they were getting.
This is Potter’s first major international tournament as head coach.
Group F at a Glance
Sweden’s group is tough but open. The Netherlands are the favorites. Japan are the dark horse. Tunisia are the lowest ranked.
- Netherlands: Three-time World Cup runners-up. Ronald Koeman’s side qualified comfortably from UEFA Group G.
- Japan: First Asian team to qualify for 2026. Eight straight World Cups.
- Tunisia: Sixth World Cup appearance. African qualifying group winners.
- Sweden: 13th appearance. Best result was runners-up at home in 1958, losing the final 2-5 to Brazil at Råsunda Stadium.
The top two teams in each group advance to the Round of 32. The eight best third-placed sides across all 12 groups also go through.
FAQ About Sweden World Cup Squad 2026
When did Sweden announce the World Cup 2026 squad?
Sweden announced its final 26-player squad on May 12, 2026. Graham Potter announced Solna. Sweden was the second nation to publish its full roster after Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Who is the head coach of Sweden at World Cup 2026?
Graham Potter is the head coach. He was appointed on October 20, 2025, replacing Jon Dahl Tomasson. Potter signed a long-term deal through 2030 in March 2026 after leading Sweden to qualification.
Who is the captain of Sweden’s World Cup 2026 squad?
Victor Lindelöf is the captain. The 31-year-old Aston Villa center-back has worn the armband since August 2021. He has 75 senior caps for Sweden.
Which group is Sweden in at World Cup 2026?
Sweden is in Group F with the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Japan. All three group matches take place in the United States and Mexico.
Who is Sweden’s first opponent at World Cup 2026?
Sweden opens against Tunisia on Sunday, June 14, at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. Kickoff is 10:00 PM Eastern Time. That is 4:00 AM CEST on Monday in Sweden.
How many World Cups has Sweden played in?
World Cup 2026 will be Sweden’s 13th World Cup appearance. Their best result was finishing as runners-up to Brazil at the 1958 World Cup on home soil. Their most recent appearance was 2018, where they reached the quarterfinals before losing to England.
How did Sweden qualify for World Cup 2026?
Sweden finished bottom of UEFA Group B with two points and no wins. They reached the European playoffs through their 2024-25 Nations League Group C1 win. They beat Ukraine 3-1 in the semifinal and Poland 3-2 in the final on March 31, 2026.
Are Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres both in the Sweden squad?
Yes. Both strikers are in the final 26. Alexander Isak plays for Liverpool. Viktor Gyökeres plays for Arsenal. They are expected to start together as Sweden’s front pair.
Who is the youngest player in Sweden’s World Cup 2026 squad?
Lucas Bergvall is the youngest at 20 years old. The Tottenham midfielder is one of Sweden’s most exciting young talents.
Why is Dejan Kulusevski not in the Sweden World Cup 2026 squad?
Dejan Kulusevski has been out for over a year with a knee injury at Tottenham. The tournament came too soon for him. Potter said the decision was “very, very difficult” but final.
The Sweden World Cup squad 2026 is a team on a rescue mission. They missed Qatar 2022. They finished qualifying winless. Graham Potter turned them around in six months. Now they head to North America with Gyökeres, Isak, and Lindelöf leading a squad full of Premier League quality.
Group F is open. The knockouts are realistic. Mark Sunday, June 14, on your calendar. Sweden are back.
