If any player has been selected for the World Cup for specific top qualities, it is probably Gustaf Nilsson.
At nearly two meters tall, the striker offers national team coach Graham Potter a unique option if Sweden, for example, needs to chase goals in the final minutes and deliver crosses into the opponents' penalty area.
But if you just look at form and performance, it is difficult to argue that Nilsson should have a place in the Swedish squad.
"It's been a long season. A frustrating season. That's how you can sum it up," says Nilsson ahead of Monday's World Cup preparatory international match away against Norway.
Wants to leave
He has just celebrated a Belgian league title with Club Brugge. But Gustaf Nilsson makes no secret of the fact that he wants to leave the club as soon as possible.
"I hope so. We'll see how it turns out, but I hope it turns out well."
The idea was that he would have left already in the transfer window in January, but an injury put a stop to it. It has led to a nightmare situation for the Swede. In 2026, he has only received any playing time on six occasions, and never more than nine minutes per match.
"It's all about club politics," says Nilsson.
"It's the board that has been quite clear that I shouldn't be allowed to play."
"They wanted to get rid of me and that's 'fair'; that's what happens in clubs. But then I ended up staying, and they stuck with it."
More surprised in March
From the bench, or sometimes the stands, he therefore watched his World Cup dream go up in smoke. At least that was the feeling until Graham Potter presented his squad for the crucial playoff matches against Ukraine and Poland in March - and read out Nilsson's name.
He did not get any playing time when Sweden qualified for the World Cup, but was still included again when the squad for this summer's championship was announced on May 12.
"I didn't expect to be there in March. But then Potter wanted me with him because of my qualities, and then I got my hopes up about this too, that Potter wanted me with him during the World Cup for the same reasons. So I was more surprised in March."
After Monday's match against Norway, a final practice match against Greece awaits in Solna on Thursday. Two days later, the Swedish squad travels to their championship base in Dallas.
The World Cup opener will be played against Tunisia on June 15, local time in Sweden, in Monterrey, Mexico.
