Sweden compete in Group Six of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Record:
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Best World Cup finish: Runners-up in 1958
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FIFA ranking: 38
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Last World Cup appearance: 2018
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Nickname: Blågult (The Blue and Yellow)
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Top clubs: Malmö FF, IFK Göteborg, IFK Norrköping
Qualification: Sweden came back from a very long way. After finishing last in their European qualifying group without a single win, they used their Nations League ranking to claim a play-off spot. Star striker Viktor Gyökeres scored a hat-trick in the play-off semi-final against Ukraine (3–1) and added another in the final against Poland (3–2) to send Sweden to America.
Coach: Graham Potter replaced Denmark's Jon Dahl Tomasson in October 2025 on an emergency basis following three World Cup qualifying defeats. The 51-year-old Englishman is no stranger to Sweden — between 2010 and 2016 he took Östersunds FK from the fourth division to the top flight, before spells at Swansea, Brighton, Chelsea, and West Ham. Initially appointed on a caretaker basis, the Swedish FA confirmed him in the role through 2030.
Star player: Viktor Gyökeres. After Sweden's inconsistent qualifying campaign, it seemed likely the country's most exciting forward would miss the World Cup. Arsenal signed him last summer for €76 million (around $89 million) from Sporting CP, and he contributed to their English league title. The 27-year-old had a slow start at the Emirates before finding his feet and his scoring form at exactly the right moment. His goals in the qualifying play-offs were decisive.
Ambitions: Sweden can realistically target second place in Group Six, ahead of Tunisia or Japan, with the top spot likely going to the Netherlands. Matching their quarter-final run from Russia 2018, let alone reaching the semi-finals and finishing third as they did at USA 1994 — ironically, also held in the United States — will be a considerably tougher ask.