Sweden's football coach, Graham Potter, has announced the much-anticipated 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, featuring key talents like Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres. This selection marks a significant moment for the Swedish national team as they prepare to compete on the global stage. However, the roster notably omits Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski, who is still recuperating from a knee injury sustained in May 2025. The squad is a blend of experienced players and emerging stars, with 11 members currently playing for British clubs. This announcement follows Sweden's successful qualification for the World Cup after navigating through a challenging playoff round.
Sweden's World Cup Journey: From Qualification to Kick-off
In an announcement made on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Swedish national team coach Graham Potter confirmed the 26-player roster for the upcoming World Cup. Among the prominent names selected are Liverpool's attacking sensation, Alexander Isak, and Arsenal's formidable striker, Viktor Gyokeres. Both players are integral to Sweden's offensive strategy and are part of the significant contingent of 11 British-based players on the squad. However, a notable omission from the list is Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski, whose recovery from knee surgery in May 2025 prevented his inclusion.
Isak's season with Liverpool has been hampered by injuries, limiting him to just eight league starts since his high-profile transfer from Newcastle last summer. Despite this, Coach Potter expressed confidence in Isak's potential, stating, "When you've had a long-term injury, it is never a straight road back. Our challenge is to get Alex the best moment of the season and for him to hit top form, because if he does, he is a world-class player." Gyokeres, on the other hand, proved to be a crucial player during the qualification campaign, scoring the decisive winning goal against Poland in March, a victory that secured Sweden's first World Cup berth since 2018.
Other players who did not make the final cut include FC Dallas' Herman Johansson, Celta de Vigo's Williot Swedberg, and Barcelona winger Roony Bardghji. Johansson will, however, join the team as a reserve for pre-tournament friendly matches. The complete squad also features familiar names such as midfielders Yasin Ayari (Brighton) and Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham), Aston Villa defender Victor Lindelof, Celtic forward Benjamin Nygren, and Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga.
Sweden's path to the World Cup involved overcoming Ukraine and Poland in the playoffs, after an impressive run in their Nations League group. This success followed a less fruitful qualifying campaign where they managed only two points without a single victory.
The team's World Cup preparations include two friendly matches: one against Norway on June 1 and another at home against Greece on June 4. Following these warm-up games, the squad will travel to their base camp in Frisco, Texas. Their World Cup journey will officially begin with a Group F opener against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 14. Subsequently, they will face the Netherlands in Houston, United States, on June 20, and conclude their group stage matches against Japan in Arlington, Texas, on June 25.
The announcement of Sweden's World Cup squad sparks excitement and anticipation among football enthusiasts. The blend of established talent and promising newcomers, coupled with the coach's strategic vision, presents an intriguing outlook for the team's performance. The inclusion of players like Isak and Gyokeres, despite varying recent form, underscores the belief in their game-changing abilities. It will be fascinating to observe how these players rise to the occasion and contribute to Sweden's quest for glory on the international stage. The journey ahead will undoubtedly test their resilience and teamwork, offering a compelling narrative for fans worldwide.