What: Netherlands–Sweden, Group F.
Where: Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas.
When: Saturday, kick-off 19:00, local time in Sweden.
TV/radio: TV4 and P4 Radiosporten.
+ Back in the US
After playing against Tunisia in Monterrey, the Blue and Yellow team are now back on American soil. At Houston Stadium, just over four hours by car from Sweden's base in Frisco, the Netherlands awaits.
The arena has a capacity of 72,000 spectators, is primarily built for American football, and is the home of the Houston Texans.
+ Position in the squad
Striker Alexander Isak trained on his own during Wednesday's training, but according to press manager Petra Thorén, it was "part of extra recovery." Defender Gabriel Gudmundsson limped badly in the World Cup opener and was forced to be substituted in the second half. After the match, however, he gave reassuring news.
"I've been a little sick this week. It was quite noticeable for me... but I managed to play half the game anyway," he said, emphasizing that it wasn't an injury.
+ The starting eleven in the World Cup opener
Kristoffer Nordfeldt – Alexander Bernhardsson, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Isak Hien, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Gabriel Gudmundsson – Jesper Karlström, Yasin Ayari, Benjamin Nygren – Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak.
+ World Cup openers
Sweden won their World Cup opener against Tunisia by a whopping 5–1. Yasin Ayari scored two goals in the win, both from long shots. The Netherlands lost the lead against Japan twice and the match ended 2–2.
+ The streak
The Netherlands have not lost a World Cup match in regular time since losing to Portugal in the round of 16 at the 2006 World Cup. In the 2022 World Cup, the Netherlands lost the quarter-finals to Argentina on penalties. The national team also did not participate in the 2018 World Cup.
+ The squads:
Sweden:
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/strikers: Taha Ali (Malmö FF), Yasin Ayari (Brighton), Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham), Alexander Bernhardsson (Kiel), Anthony Elanga (Newcastle), Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Jesper Karlström (Udinese), Gustaf Nilsson (Brugge), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic), Ken Sema (Pafos), Mattias Svanberg (Wolfsburg), Besfort Zeneli (Union St Gilloise).
National team coach: Graham Potter.
Netherlands:
Goalkeepers: Mark Flekken (Bayer Leverkusen), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), Bart Verbruggen (Brighton).
Full-backs: Nathan Aké (Manchester City), Denzel Dumfries (Inter), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Lutsharel Geertruida (Sunderland), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton), Mats Wieffer (Brighton).
Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona), Marten de Roon (Atalanta), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth), Teun Koopmeiners (Juventus), Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City), Guus Til (PSV), Quinten Timber (Olympique Marseille).
Forwards: Brian Brobbey (Sunderland), Memphis Depay (Corinthians), Cody Gakpo (Liverpool), Noa Lang (Galatasaray/Napoli), Donyell Malen (Roma), Crysencio Summerville (West Ham), Wout Weghorst (Ajax).
National team coach: Ronald Koeman
Referee: Michael Oliver (England).
