In connection with the conclusion of the failed European Championship qualification 2023, the veteran goalkeeper was hesitant about continuing in the national team.
He came to the realization that the farewell was too early. He has one more championship in him – the World Championship in Canada, USA, and Mexico in the summer of 2026.
No one in the current squad for the national team matches against Luxembourg (Saturday) and Northern Ireland (Tuesday) has played longer in the national team – or played more national team matches – than Olsen.
Players have come and gone, several close friends have quit or are not selected, like Emil Forsberg. It is the same national team he is returning to, but still not.
"Know the names"
You know the names, but they are people you haven't met before. But it's fun. Fantastic to be back. As everyone knows, the national team means a lot to me, says Olsen.
He is on his third national team coach. Erik Hamrén brought him forward and Janne Andersson gave him unwavering confidence.
Jon Dahl Tomasson? The Dane bet directly on Olsen last spring, but during the injury absence last autumn, Viktor Johansson came in, safe and stable under six matches in the Nations League.
Today, "JDT" doesn't want to talk about a clear number one in goal. Olsen plays against Luxembourg away, Johansson gets the chance against Northern Ireland in Solna.
He (Johansson) has done extremely well, just like the team during the group stage. I sat at home and followed it and was pleased with how it looked.
"Can become really good"
Who plays is a question for the coach, and that's how it's always been. It's a competitive situation like for everyone else – and that's how it should be in a national team.
Where are you headed under Dahl Tomasson?
I see incredible potential in this group and among players who are not here. Jon is very clear about what he wants. He has the ability to get it out to the players.
It's attractive football to watch, I think. This can become really, really good. It looks very bright, I must say.
Robin Olsen's contract with Aston Villa expires in the summer. He has nurtured a dream for many years to finish his career in Malmö FF.
We'll see what can happen in the summer. The choice I make, I take based on what suits me and my family best. If I'm going home to Sweden, it's Malmö that applies, he says.
Born: January 8, 1990, in Malmö.
Club: Aston Villa.
Previous clubs: LB07, Bunkeflo, Klagshamn, Malmö FF, Paok Saloniki, FC Köpenhamn, Roma, Cagliari, Everton, Sheffield United.
National team matches: 75.
National team debut: Against Ivory Coast on January 15, 2015.
Current: Back in the national team after a nine-month break.
5 September: Slovenia–Sweden
8 September: Kosovo–Sweden
10 October: Sweden–Switzerland
13 October: Sweden–Kosovo
15 November: Switzerland–Sweden
18 November: Sweden–Slovenia
+ The group winners in the qualification get a direct spot in the World Championship.
+ The 12 group runners-up play in the playoffs together with the four highest-ranked group winners from last year's edition of the Nations League who do not take first or second place in their World Championship qualification group.
