Sweden SWE

Sweden arrive at the 2026 World Cup as a side that nearly didn't make it. Ranked 38th in the world by FIFA and operating under UEFA's banner, the Swedes collected just two points from a possible 18 during a disastrous qualifying campaign — a record that would have ended most nations' dreams. Instead, they seized their playoff lifeline and, under Graham Potter, have quietly rebuilt into something worth watching.

Potter, who took the reins last October, has had limited time to stamp his methods on the squad, but the raw material at his disposal is genuinely exciting. He is expected to deploy a hard-working back five as the defensive foundation, a pragmatic framework designed to protect and then unleash the considerable firepower further up the pitch. With Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak available as his two elite finishers, Potter has the kind of attacking currency that can hurt any defence in the tournament.

The concerns are real, however. Isak endured a grim first season at Liverpool, and questions about his form and confidence will follow him into the competition. The condensed timeline since Potter's appointment also means the tactical cohesion that defines his best work is still a work in progress.

The squad beyond the headline names carries genuine depth. Victor Lindelöf anchors the defensive unit, Lucas Bergvall offers creative energy in midfield, and Anthony Elanga and Ken Sema provide width and pace in the final third. Jacob Widell Zetterström, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Herman Johansson, Daniel Svensson, Viktor Johansson, and Taha Ali round out a group with enough quality to compete if the pieces fall into place.

Sweden come in under the radar, which may suit them perfectly. The playoff route has hardened them, Potter has given them structure and belief, and if Isak and Gyökeres fire together, this is a team capable of going further than their ranking suggests.