What Can France Expect From Sweden at the 2026 World Cup?

Sweden's journey to the 2026 World Cup has been far from smooth. Under Jon Dahl Tomasson, the team managed only one point from four matches, leading to his dismissal in October 2025 after a 1-0 loss to Kosovo.

Graham Potter stepped in as head coach. Known for his rise at Swedish club Östersund, where he took the team from the fourth division to the Allsvenskan, won the national cup, and even defeated Arsenal in the Europa League, Potter brought renewed hope.

Potter's Approach: Defense and Counterattack

Potter returned to traditional Swedish tactics emphasizing a resilient defense and sharp counterattacks. Although initially preferring a back four formation, he switched to a 5-3-2 setup during the playoffs, prioritizing defensive solidity.

Sweden seized their chance through the Nations League, which gave them a path back into World Cup qualification. In a semi-final held in Spain, they thrashed Ukraine 3-1, with Viktor Gyökeres netting a hat-trick. The final against Poland proved tighter, but Gyökeres scored a late winner in the 88th minute to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory.

"It’s hard to explain, hard to describe," Potter said after the win. "Just an incredible evening, so proud to be part of that. It felt like an out-of-body experience watching the goal and seeing our bench erupt. I’m just grateful to be involved."

World Cup Group Stage Outlook

Despite only gathering two points from six group games, Sweden qualified for the World Cup. Their group includes Tunisia, the Netherlands, and Japan. With Potter’s influence, there's hope they can advance beyond the first round.

Injuries cloud their campaign. Captain Dejan Kulusevski, whose role is significant, will miss the tournament. Questions also loom over Alexander Isak's fitness and form.

The Swedish Fans

Swedish supporters, known as Blågult (blue and yellow), travel well and are known for their lively and friendly atmosphere. Their signature chant, "Kanna på," celebrates beer pitchers arriving endlessly—highlighting the fans’ love for a good drink. The song boldly declares, "We are coming with 100,000 men." While no Viking invasion is planned for North America, expect a strong yellow-and-blue presence throughout the World Cup venues.

This article was contributed by Sebastian Pearson and Tobias Hellgren for fotbollskanalen.se via the Guardian Sports Network.