Sweden’s road to the 2026 World Cup was rescued by Graham Potter. The former Brighton, Chelsea and West Ham manager was appointed in October 2025 with Sweden bottom of their qualifying group and facing elimination.
Within five months he guided them through the playoffs and to a 13th World Cup appearance – his contract subsequently extended through 2030. Potter is the only English manager at the tournament and only the second foreign coach in Swedish football history.
How they got there
Sweden progressed through the UEFA playoffs after a turbulent qualifying campaign. Potter guided them past Ukraine before Viktor Gyokeres’ 88th-minute winner sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Poland in Stockholm in March 2026.
Gyokeres had also scored a hat-trick in the semi-final against Ukraine. It was one of the most celebrated nights in Swedish football in years and ended a four-year absence from the World Cup stage.
Best ever World Cup finish
Sweden’s greatest achievement came on home soil in 1958 – reaching the final before losing 5-2 to a Pelé-inspired Brazil. A third-place finish at the 1994 World Cup in the United States remains their best modern performance.
They reached the quarter-finals at the 2018 World Cup before losing to England – and failed to qualify for 2022 entirely.
Iconic moments
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s extraordinary bicycle kick against England in a 2012 friendly remains the most celebrated moment in modern Swedish football history. At World Cup level, Gyokeres’ stoppage-time winner against Poland to seal qualification in March 2026 has already entered Swedish football folklore.
Players to watch
Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) – The 28-year-old is the most in-form striker in Europe. Arsenal’s top domestic scorer this season and the hero of Sweden’s playoff run – four goals across two matches including a hat-trick against Ukraine. His power, pace and clinical finishing make him Group F’s most dangerous centre forward.
Alexander Isak (Liverpool) – The 26-year-old arrives at the World Cup having struggled with injuries during a difficult debut season at Liverpool. His technical quality and finishing ability give Sweden a completely different dimension when paired with Gyokeres.
Fixtures
15 Jun: Sweden vs Tunisia – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey – 04:00 SAST
20 Jun: Netherlands vs Sweden – NRG Stadium, Houston – 19:00 SAST
26 Jun: Japan vs Sweden – AT&T Stadium, Arlington – 01:00 SAST
Photo: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
