What: Men's World Cup.
Where: USA, Canada and Mexico.
When: June 11–July 19.
TV/radio: TV4 and SVT share TV rights. Radiosporten will broadcast.
Opening match: Mexico–South Africa, Mexico City, June 11 at 9 p.m.
The final: Played in New Jersey on July 19 at 9 p.m.
Reigning champion: Argentina.
+ Record-breaking
The World Cup is being played in three countries for the first time and has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams. The United States, Mexico and Canada will share 104 matches.
+ The missing qualification
Italy has now missed out on three consecutive World Cups after losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup play-offs on penalties. President Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned after the fiasco.
+ The smallest nation
Curaçao, with a population of just 156,000, is the smallest World Cup nation ever. Uzbekistan, Jordan and Cape Verde will also be playing in the World Cup for the first time.
+ Iran and Trump
The war in the Middle East created uncertainty about Iran's participation. US President Donald Trump also described the nation's participation as "inappropriate", but changed his mind when FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisted that Iran would participate as planned.
"Well, if Gianni said so, I'm okay with it. Let them play," Trump said.
However, Iran has chosen to move the national team's base from the United States to Mexico.
+ Emergency plans in the heat
July is the hottest month in the United States, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). Players will be given three-minute water breaks in each half, regardless of the weather. Officials will monitor the weather and be ready to activate emergency plans for extreme heat. If they are activated, the public will be provided with information on how to protect themselves - and to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
+ New rules - mouth covering prohibited
The major changes include red cards being handed out if players or officials cover their mouths when talking - a change that came about after the scandal between Real Madrid and Benfica, when Vinicius Junior claimed that Gianluca Prestianni called him a "monkey". The video assistant referee system (VAR) will have a greater role, and there are changes to injury and substitution rules that should improve the flow of the game.
+ Criticism of ticket prices
Dynamic pricing, which results in more expensive tickets when there is more demand for certain matches, has been criticized. For example, you can pay 21 million kronor for final tickets. Prosecutors in New York and New Jersey will investigate whether the sale violates consumer protection laws.
+ The matches in Sweden's group
Group F: June 14: Netherlands–Japan (10:00 p.m.); June 15: Sweden–Tunisia (4:00 a.m. in Monterrey); June 20: Netherlands–Sweden (7:00 p.m. in Houston); June 21: Tunisia–Japan (6:00 a.m.); June 26: Japan–Sweden (1:00 a.m. in Dallas); Tunisia–Netherlands (1:00 a.m.).
All first and second place teams in the group stage advance, as do the eight best third place teams.
+ This is how it went the last time Sweden played in the World Cup
Sweden finished first in their group at the 2018 World Cup, where Germany was the favourites, and won the round of 16 against Switzerland. Emil Forsberg scored the only goal - then England waited in the quarter-finals. There they lost 0–2 after goals from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli.
+ Sweden's squad
Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Derby. Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Herman Johansson, Dallas, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Braga, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Aston Villa, Eric Smith, St Pauli, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Elliot Stroud, Mjällby, Daniel Svensson, Dortmund. Midfielders/forwards: Taha Ali, Malmö FF, Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Alexander Bernhardsson, Holstein Kiel, Anthony Elanga, Newcastle, Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Gustaf Nilsson, Club Brugge, Benjamin Nygren, Celtic, Ken Sema, Pafos, Mattias Svanberg, Wolfsburg, Besfort Zeneli, Union St Gilloise.
+ Other groups
Group A: Czech Republic, Mexico, South Africa, South Korea.
Group B: Switzerland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Qatar.
Group C: Scotland, Brazil, Haiti, Morocco.
Group D: Turkey, Paraguay, USA, Australia.
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curaçao.
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia.
Group I: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq.
Group J: Austria, Argentina, Algeria, Jordan.
Group K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Congo-Kinshasa.
Group L: England, Ghana, Croatia, Panama.
