Sweden

Sweden — Blagult (The Blue-Yellow) — are drawn into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. After missing the 2022 World Cup, Sweden return with a renewed squad built around Alexander Isak's goal-scoring prowess.

The group is competitive. The Netherlands are clear favorites. Japan are a proven giant-killer after 2022. Tunisia are organized and physical. Sweden will need results against both Japan and Tunisia to have a realistic chance of advancing.

Why this group matters: Sweden's 2018 World Cup run to the quarterfinals (without Zlatan Ibrahimovic) proved the team is more than one player. In 2026, with Isak leading a new generation, Sweden want to prove that era was no fluke.

Tunisia on opening day is a must-win. The Netherlands on Matchday 2 is the toughest test. Japan on Matchday 3 could be a group-decider for second place.

Sweden have appeared in 12 FIFA World Cups:

• Best finish: Runners-up (1958, as hosts)
• Third place: 1950, 1994
• 2018: Sweden's most recent World Cup, where they reached the quarterfinals (losing to England) after topping a group containing Germany and Mexico. The disciplined, team-first approach under Janne Andersson was widely admired.
• 2022: Sweden failed to qualify, losing to Poland in the playoff.
• Zlatan era: Zlatan Ibrahimovic dominated the Swedish team for over a decade but never had a great World Cup. The irony is that Sweden's best recent World Cup (2018) came without him.

Sweden's footballing identity is built on collective strength, defensive organization, and making the most of limited individual star power. Isak's emergence changes that equation — Sweden now have a genuine world-class striker.

Jon Dahl Tomasson, the former Danish international, manages Sweden with a blend of Scandinavian pragmatism and attacking ambition. His experience managing Malmo and Blackburn has given him a tactical identity that balances defense and attack.

• Defensive solidity — compact shape, disciplined pressing triggers
• Isak as the focal point with service from wide areas
• Set-piece excellence — Sweden's height and aerial ability are significant weapons
• Counter-attacking pace through Elanga and Kulusevski
• Physical intensity — Scandinavian teams rarely lose the fitness battle

Swedish football culture is communal, good-natured, and surprisingly loud.

• Viking clap: Swedish fans have adopted the synchronized "Viking clap" (popularized by Iceland at Euro 2016) and perform it with impressive coordination.
• Yellow wall: The bright yellow Swedish shirts create a vibrant, impossible-to-miss block in any stadium.
• Scandinavian camaraderie: Swedish fans are known for their friendliness and positive interactions with rival supporters.
• Midsommar spirit: The World Cup coincides with Swedish summer, and the tournament atmosphere blends with the long daylight hours and outdoor culture of a Swedish June.

Why to watch if you are a casual fan: Alexander Isak is one of the most stylish strikers in world football — his cool finishing and silky technique are a joy to watch. Sweden's disciplined team play creates tactical intrigue, and their 2018 run proved they can punch above their weight at World Cups.

Sweden need to beat Tunisia and take points from Japan to have a chance. The Netherlands match is likely a loss.

Prediction: Group stage exit. Sweden will be competitive but face a tough group. Finishing third behind the Netherlands and Japan is the most likely outcome. A third-place qualification is possible if results elsewhere go their way, but the squad lacks the depth of the Dutch and the tactical sophistication of Japan.