Sweden's national team coach Graham Potter announces the 26-player squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, including Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres.
Sweden's men's football team is gearing up for the FIFA World Cup 2026, and coach Graham Potter has announced the 26-player squad that will represent the country in the prestigious tournament. The squad includes notable players such as Liverpool forward Alexander Isak and Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, who are among the 11 British-based players on the roster. Isak, in particular, has had an injury-plagued season at Liverpool, starting only eight league matches following his record transfer from Newcastle last summer.
Potter expressed his confidence in Isak's abilities, stating that the player has the potential to be world-class if he can regain his top form. However, the road to recovery has been challenging for Isak, with Potter acknowledging that it is never a straight road back from a long-term injury. The coach's goal is to get Isak to his best moment in the season, which could make a significant difference for the team. Meanwhile, Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski was left off the squad due to his ongoing rehabilitation from knee surgery in May 2025.
The squad selection was not without its challenges, with Potter describing the decision to leave out Kulusevski as "very, very difficult." Other players who failed to make the cut include FC Dallas' Herman Johansson, Celta de Vigo's Williot Swedberg, and Barcelona winger Roony Bardghji. Johansson, however, will be available as a reserve during pre-tournament friendlies. Sweden qualified for the World Cup with wins over Ukraine and Poland in the playoffs, following a disappointing qualifying campaign that saw them earn only two points without a victory.
Gyokeres emerged as a key player in the team's qualification, scoring the late winning goal against Poland in March to help Sweden reach their first World Cup since 2018. Other notable names on the roster include midfielders Yasin Ayari and Lucas Bergvall, Aston Villa defender Victor Lindelof, Celtic forward Benjamin Nygren, and Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga. Sweden will play friendlies against Norway and Greece before traveling to their World Cup base camp in Frisco, Texas. They will open their Group F campaign against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 14, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Japan.
The Swedish team's World Cup roster is a mix of experienced players and young talent, with a good balance of defense, midfield, and forward options. The goalkeepers include Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, while the defenders feature Hjalmar Ekdal, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Victor Lindelof, among others. The midfielders include Yasin Ayari, Lucas Bergvall, and Jesper Karlstrom, who will provide support to the forwards, including Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Anthony Elanga. With a strong squad and a experienced coach, Sweden is looking to make a significant impact in the World Cup 2026.
