After overcoming tremendous odds, Sweden will be competing in their 13th FIFA World Cup™ in Canada, Mexico and the USA. They will be looking to match their achievements during the last tournament on American soil, an incredible third-place finish at USA 1994.
The Scandinavians have a rich World Cup history, highlighted by a run to the final in 1958 under George Raynor. After Sweden’s failure to qualify for Qatar 2022, fellow Englishman Graham Potter will be intent on continuing their newfound momentum during their return to the global showpiece.
Sweden coach: Graham Potter
When Potter replaced Jon Dahl Tomasson as Sweden coach in October 2025, it was something of a homecoming for the Englishman. Potter secured his coaching break at Ostersund, whom he led from the fourth tier of Swedish football to the top-flight Allsvenskan, as well as Swedish Cup glory in 2017 and qualification to the UEFA Europa League group stage.
Following his historic success with Ostersund, Potter furthered his career back in England with Swansea City, Brighton and Hove Albion — where he particularly impressed — Chelsea and West Ham. The 50-year-old, who is fluent in Swedish, initially replaced Tomasson on a temporary basis but he was given a long-term contract until 2030 shortly prior to the European play-offs for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. It was a decision that paid immediate dividends as Sweden defeated Ukraine and then Poland to reach the global finals.
Sweden’s World Cup 2026 fixtures and group
Full World Cup 2026 match schedule
How Sweden qualified for World Cup 2026
Sweden bounced back from a disappointing display in UEFA qualifying to punch their ticket to the global showpiece. The Scandinavians finished bottom of Group B in the European preliminaries, failing to win any of their qualifiers. But they secured their place in the UEFA play-offs thanks to their UEFA Nations League ranking.
Under the guidance of Potter, Sweden brushed aside Ukraine 3-1 in the semi-finals thanks to a Viktor Gyokeres hat-trick. In a topsy-turvy final, Gyokeres was the hero once again as Sweden defeated Poland 3-2 courtesy of an 88th-minute goal from the Arsenal frontman.
Sweden’s World Cup history
Sweden’s best World Cup
Under Raynor, Sweden enjoyed a decade-long golden age which began with Olympic gold in London in 1948 and continued with third-place finishes at Brazil 1950 and the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. After Sweden missed out on the 1954 World Cup, Raynor returned to the national team after coaching spells in Italy where he inspired a deep run to the 1958 final in front of joyous home crowds in Sweden.
Thanks to the inclusion of professionals for the first time, namely Nils Liedholm and Kurt Hamrin, the Swedish national team dominated Group 3 as winners following victories over Mexico and Hungary as well as a goalless draw with Wales. After dispatching the Soviet Union, the Swedes defeated West Germany 3-1 to set up a showpiece decider with Brazil. In front of a capacity crowd, Sweden took the game to the South Americans, with Liedholm breaking the deadlock after just four minutes. But the likes of Pele, Vava and Mario Zagallo proved too strong as Brazil won 5-2 in an all-time classic.
Sweden’s first World Cup
Sweden made their World Cup debut at Italy 1934, the second edition of the global finals. In an incredible start, they downed 1930 finalists Argentina 3-2 in the opening round thanks to a Sven Jonasson brace and 79th-minute winner from Knut Kroon. They were no match for Germany in the quarter-finals, however, with Karl Hohmann scoring twice in three minutes to seal a 2-1 triumph.
Sweden’s last World Cup
Under the guidance of Janne Andersson, Sweden showed they had moved on from the international retirement of superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic by reaching the quarter-finals at Russia 2018. After defeating Korea Republic 1-0 in their opener and then losing to Germany, Sweden downed Mexico 3-0 to propel themselves into the knockout stages as group winners.
Fortune favoured the Swedes in the round of 16, with Emil Forsberg’s second-half strike taking a deflection en route to goal to seal a 1-0 victory over Switzerland. But England proved too good in the quarter-finals, with goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli either side of the break ensuring the Three Lions’ progress to the final four.
Sweden’s World Cup top scorers
Kennet Andersson and Henrik Larsson both top Sweden’s World Cup scoring list with five goals apiece but they did so in very different circumstances. Andersson completed his tally at USA 1994 to share the Bronze Boot as Sweden secured a third-place finish, while Larsson scored five goals over three tournaments, ranging from 1994 until 2006.
Sweden player with most World Cup appearances
Larsson has the most World Cup appearances for Sweden with 13 over three tournaments. As an up-and-comer, Larsson mainly had a substitute role in the team that reached the semi-finals at USA 1994, with Tomas Brolin, Andersson and Martin Dahlin nailing down the starting spots up front. As an established star, the fearless striker played in all four games as Sweden reached the round of 16 at Korea/Japan 2002. After retiring from international football, Larsson came back for the 2006 finals where the Swedes also reached the first knockout round.
Sweden’s memorable World Cup moments
Liedholm was almost 36 when he gave Sweden the lead in the 1958 final against Brazil, becoming the oldest player to score in a World Cup decider. Shortly after helping AC Milan to the UEFA Champions League final, the veteran forward continued where he left off, as he helped Sweden reach a World Cup final on home soil.
Against the heavy favourites, Liedholm thrust his name into the history books — and brought the crowd to their feet — when he surged into the penalty area, beat two Brazilian defenders, and struck past goalkeeper Gilmar into the corner of the net. Notably, it was the fastest World Cup goal in history at the time. Although Brazil quickly responded and won the game in fine fashion, Liedholm’s opener represented just how much of a force Sweden were in international football.
Sweden appeared to be on the brink of being knocked out of USA 1994 after being a goal and a man down in extra-time against Romania in the quarter-finals. But Andersson set up a shoot-out at Stanford Stadium by heading a pinpoint Roland Nilsson cross past Florin Prunea in the 115th minute.
The first phase of the penalty shoot-out finished 4-4, with Larsson giving Sweden the advantage in sudden death. It was up to Romania defender Miodrag Belodedici to keep his side in the game. Belodedici hesitated in his approach and struck the ball to his right, which was comfortably saved by the diving Thomas Ravelli to give Sweden their first appearance in the semi-finals since 1958.
Sweden’s biggest World Cup win
Sweden made history by defeating Cuba 8-0 in the quarter-finals at France 1938 thanks in large part to hat-tricks from Harry Andersson and Gustav Wetterstrom. The victory in Antibes remains to this day the biggest knockout-phase win in World Cup history. Sweden failed to capitalise on their momentum, however, losing 5-1 to Hungary in the semi-finals and 4-2 to Brazil in the third-place play-off.
