But the generally football-interested – however big a friend of the national team you are – now largely gives a thumbs down.
The audience fails.
The national team match against Northern Ireland at home in March attracted a mere 14,147 spectators. An audience figure AIK would be ashamed of at the Strawberry arena. Although it was the Nations League, the national team drew a paltry 10,127 against Azerbaijan last autumn.
Low interest
The declining audience worries the football association and not just in terms of lost revenue. The interest in the national team when it's not hot qualifying or championship matches is now low.
So too among players? Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres were both included in the original squad, despite both being plagued by ailments after a long season, surrounded by transfer rumors, and being generally worn out and in need of rest.
Yet they were selected, only to decline. Not directly surprising for the initiated – and there are many.
Tonight, the national team plays against Hungary in Budapest. A comparable opponent in terms of world ranking. Jon Dahl Tomasson fields a team where around half of the starting eleven will likely be replaced when the World Championship qualification begins against Slovenia in September.
The superstars Isak, Gyökeres, and Dejan Kulusevski are missing, as is team captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf. Sebastian Nanasi and Lucas Bergvall would have been included if they hadn't been injured.
Dahl Tomasson succeeded in his first task, last year's group victory in the Nations League. The next – and most important – is to take the national team to the World Championship finals next summer.
Will provide answers
With a constant smile and a jovial demeanor, he regrets the current injury crisis, but also sees opportunities. The meetings with Hungary and Algeria will give him answers, positive as well as negative, regardless of the interest in the national team matches.
What can the national team achieve without its offensive stars? Who will be the clear first-choice goalkeeper in the World Championship qualification – Victor Johansson or Robin Olsen?
Neither Hugo Larsson nor Daniel Svensson were included in the national team matches in March. Both have had strong spring seasons in the Bundesliga. Do they have what it takes in the national team environment to start in the World Championship qualification?
Is Benjamin Nygren, after the success in March, the one who is next in line when Isak and/or Gyökeres are missing?
How far has the team come collectively in the ability to follow "JDT's" principles and view on how football should be played?
Henrik Skiöld/TT
The national team under Jon Dahl Tomasson
TT
Tonight's national team match against Hungary in Budapest is the 13th with Jon Dahl Tomasson as national team manager.
Results so far:
2024:
Portugal 2–5
Albania 1–0
Denmark 1–2
Serbia 0–3
Nations League:
Azerbaijan 3–1
Estonia 3–0
Slovakia 2–2
Slovakia 2–1
Azerbaijan 6–0
2025:
Luxembourg 0–1
Northern Ireland 5–1
Record: 7 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses.
Goal scorers: Viktor Gyökeres 10, Alexander Isak 6, Dejan Kulusevski 2, Gustaf Nilsson 2, Ken Sema 2, Sebastian Nanasi 2, Yasin Ayari, Emil Holm, Benjamin Nygren, Anthony Elanga.
