Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski is back in training after a tough knee injury. But national team coach Graham Potter is still not taking any chances with the 26-year-old, who has not played a match in a year. Normally, Kulusevski would have been a given in the Swedish World Cup squad.
When Sweden defeated Poland in the playoff for the World Cup, Kulusevski was hopeful of making it back, but Potter says more time would have been needed.
"I've talked to Dejan a lot. Of course he wanted nothing more than to play in the World Cup, but as a coach you sometimes have to make decisions based on what's best for both the player and the team. And I trusted my gut feeling this time," Potter said.
Age and experience
Two other notable picks were Frankfurt's Hugo Larsson and Barcelona's Roony Bardghji. There, it was a matter of both tough competition - and age.
"Others are ahead right now. And when you look at a 26-man squad you have to look at what is needed when you are away for a long time. Things like age and experience also weigh in. But those were very tough decisions to make, I love both of those guys and they have a very bright future ahead of them," Potter said.
Another promising name that was left out was 22-year-old Celta Vigo striker Williot Swedberg.
"This is a dream for these guys and you crush that dream. It's not an easy thing," Potter said.
Just a spare
However, Celta Vigo centre-back Carl Starfelt is included, despite not having played for a long time and reportedly suffering from a herniated disc. Therefore, Herman Johansson, who usually lives in Dallas, where Sweden has its World Cup base, is included as the only reserve in the squad.
"We have a plan for Carl. It's not optimal, but we have an idea of what he needs to do. But that's why we have Herman Johansson, our "27th player" if you will, as extra protection during the gathering in Stockholm," Potter said.
The national team will gather in Stockholm on May 27 and will first meet Norway in Oslo on June 1, then play a World Cup qualifier against Greece in Solna three days later.
Sweden begins the World Cup against Tunisia on June 15. The group stage then continues with matches against the Netherlands on June 20 and against Japan on June 26.
Facts: Sweden's squad for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers:
Viktor Johansson, Stoke
Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK
Jacob Widell Zetterström, Derby
Defender:
Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds
Isak Hien, Atalanta
Emil Holm, Juventus
Gustaf Lagerbielke, Braga
Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Aston Villa
Eric Smith, St. Pauli
Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo
Elliot Stroud, Mjallby
Daniel Svensson, Dortmund
Midfielder/striker:
Taha Ali, Malmö FF
Yasin Ayari, Brighton
Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham
Alexander Bernhardsson, Kiel
Anthony Elanga, Newcastle
Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal
Alexander Isak, Liverpool
Jesper Karlstrom, Udinese
Gustaf Nilsson, Bruges
Benjamin Nygren, Celtic
Ken Sema, Paphos
Mattias Svanberg, Wolfsburg
Besfort Zeneli, Union St Gilloise
