Potter Names Sweden's World Cup 26: Isak Returns to Lead the Attack, Kulusevski Misses Out
Graham Potter named his final 26 on Tuesday at 16:15 in Stockholm, four days ahead of FIFA's deadline. Captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf leads, Alexander Isak is back from injury alongside Viktor Gyökeres and Anthony Elanga, and long-term absentee Dejan Kulusevski did not make it back in time. Sweden open Group F against Tunisia on June 14 in Monterrey.
S weden head coach Graham Potter named his final 26-man World Cup squad at 16:15 in Stockholm on Tuesday, four days before FIFA's June 1 deadline. Captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf leads a side built around a 4-3-3 in which Alexander Isak (Liverpool) and Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) form the headline attacking pair, per the SVFF announcement.
In goal Potter has chosen Viktor Johansson (Stoke City), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK) and Jacob Widell Zetterström (Derby County). The defence is anchored by Lindelöf (Aston Villa) and Isak Hien (Atalanta), with Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds United), Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Emil Holm (Juventus), Gustaf Lagerbielke (SC Braga), Carl Starfelt (Celta Vigo), Eric Smith (FC St. Pauli) and Mjällby talent Elliot Stroud completing the back-line group.
The midfield blends Premier League seasoning in Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham) and Yasin Ayari (Brighton) with Bundesliga experience in Mattias Svanberg (Wolfsburg) and Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund), alongside Jesper Karlström (Udinese), Ken Sema (Pafos), Allsvenskan call-up Taha Abdi Ali (Malmö FF) and Besfort Zeneli (Union Saint-Gilloise). The attack pairs Isak and Gyökeres with Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United), Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel), Gustaf Nilsson (Club Brugge) and Benjamin Nygren (Celtic).
The notable absences are Dejan Kulusevski, whose long-term rehabilitation did not deliver enough match rhythm in time, and Hugo Larsson (Eintracht Frankfurt), who featured in the March play-off. Returning after spring injuries are Isak, Bernhardsson, Holm, Viktor Johansson and Widell Zetterström. FC Dallas midfielder Herman Johansson travels with the group as the 27th man for the opening camp.
The squad gathers in Stockholm on May 27, plays Norway in Oslo on June 1 and Greece in Stockholm on June 4, then flies to Dallas on June 6. In Group F Sweden open against Tunisia on June 14 in Monterrey, face the Netherlands on June 20 in Houston in what falls on Swedish midsummer at home, and close the group against Japan on June 25 in Dallas.