It's all a bit tricky. Malmö FF have already won a number of Swedish Championship titles over the years. The problem is that they are in the trophy cabinet of local rivals Rosengård.
The five SM titles (1986, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994) were won by the club Malmö FF, but in 2004 the women's team broke away to form its own club, Malmö FF DFF, which later became FC Rosengård.
So who owns the gold?
"You can argue both ways. There is really nothing that is right or wrong. If you choose to see it as winning your gold with a certain organization number, Rosengård is right, since it is one and the same association number," said Axel Fägerhall, group manager in the Swedish Football Association's competition and transition group, to Sydsvenskan in January.
What is clear is that MFF is ready to take home the Swedish Championship trophy this year, regardless of whether it is seen as the first or sixth time in the club's history.
"Our goal is to go for the gold this year and I think everyone has understood that," says team captain Nellie Lilja.
Stormed through the league system
A cocky attitude ensured that Malmö FF were newcomers to the Swedish women's league last year. They were even less fancied considering how they performed last season – they challenged eventual champions Häcken for the Swedish championship gold until the very end.
"It will of course be different from last year, when we could go into the matches a little more relaxed and put the pressure on Hammarby and Häcken. Now it's about enjoying being up there and having the pressure to win every match," says Lilja.
Six years ago, MFF restarted its women's side. A completely new team was formed and the rise has been lightning fast. The team started in Division 4, won four straight leagues by a landslide and then took the step up to the women's Swedish top flight at the first attempt.
Change of throne in Malmö
That same year, 2024, FC Rosengård won the Swedish Championship after winning all but one of their matches. But it was also perhaps the last time that Rosengård was Sweden's, and Malmö's, best team. Last year, MFF came third while Rosengård barely managed to secure their top-flight status.
"For me, it feels obvious that Malmö FF is the biggest club in Malmö. I'm not surprised that it happened so quickly," says Nellie Lilja.
It's no wonder that championship gold is the clear goal already in the team's second season in the top league, adds coach Jonas Valfridsson. It's in the club's DNA.
"When you work for Malmö FF, it doesn't matter if you play for men or women. That's always the goal at the club," says Valfridsson.
Facts: How the first round of the 2026 Swedish Women's Championship will be played
Saturday 28 March: AIK–IFK Norrköping (1 p.m.), Eskilstuna United–Vittsjö (3 p.m.).
Sunday 29 March: Piteå–Kristianstad (2:00 p.m.), Häcken–Brommapojkarna, Malmö FF–Uppsala, Djurgården–Växjö (all 3:00 p.m.), Hammarby–Rosengård (4:00 p.m.).
