FIFA World Cup 2026 Sweden: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
Viktor Gyökeres struck an 88th minute winner against Poland at the Strawberry Arena in Solna. The 3-2 playoff victory ended an eight year absence and sent Sweden back to the World Cup. The Blågult landed in Group F and will meet the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
This is Sweden’s 13th World Cup, with 12 previous trips dating back to 1934. Graham Potter took charge in October 2025 and rebuilt a campaign that had collapsed under Jon Dahl Tomasson. Sweden enter the tournament ranked 38th in the FIFA world rankings as of April 1, 2026.
The squad mixes Premier League muscle with Champions League youth. Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak give Potter one of the sharpest attacking pairs in North America.
Sweden World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Sweden runs on Central European Summer Time during the tournament, two hours ahead of UTC. DST stays active through late October.
| Date | Opponent | Time (Local) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jun 14 | Tunisia | 4:00 AM CEST (Jun 15) | 10:00 PM ET | Monterrey Stadium |
| Sat, Jun 20 | Netherlands | 7:00 PM CEST | 1:00 PM ET | Houston Stadium |
| Thu, Jun 25 | Japan | 1:00 AM CEST (Jun 26) | 7:00 PM ET | Dallas Stadium |
Only the Saturday afternoon Houston fixture against the Netherlands lands in prime time for fans back home. The top two from Group F advance automatically, and the eight best third placed teams across all 12 groups join them in the Round of 32.
How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in Sweden
TV4 and SVT share Swedish rights to every 2026 World Cup match. All 104 fixtures will be free over the air in Swedish, split between the two networks. TV4 leads the commercial side, while SVT carries its share on SVT1 and SVT2 with no advertising breaks.
Match coverage runs in Swedish on both broadcasters. Expect the TV4 Sport team and the SVT Sport panel to lead studio analysis around all three Sweden group games.
How to Stream the World Cup 2026 in Sweden
Streaming goes through TV4 Play and SVT Play. Both apps are free and work on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs. FIFA+ adds free highlights, replays, and original tournament content.
| Platform | Language | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV4 Play | Swedish | Free with ads | All TV4 matches |
| SVT Play | Swedish | Free, no ads | All SVT matches |
| FIFA+ | English | Free | Highlights, replays, originals |
How to Listen to the World Cup 2026 in Sweden
Sveriges Radio holds national audio rights through SR P4. The Radiosporten team commentates every Sweden match in Swedish on FM, digital radio, and the SR Play app. Coverage spans pre match build up and post match reaction from each US and Mexican venue.
English language audio is available through the BBC World Service stream for selected matches. SiriusXM offers English commentary for Swedish listeners with US based accounts.
Sweden World Cup History & Record
Sweden’s World Cup story stretches back nine decades. The Blågult have never lifted the trophy, but they have come closer than most nations of their size.
The 1958 tournament remains the peak. Sweden hosted, beat West Germany in the semifinal, and lost the final 5-2 to a 17 year old Pelé and Brazil. Gunnar Gren, Nils Liedholm, and Kurt Hamrin defined that team.
Bronze followed at the 1950 finals in Brazil and again in 1994, when Tomas Brolin’s side beat Bulgaria 4-0 in the third place match in Los Angeles. The 2018 team reached the quarterfinals in Russia before falling 2-0 to England, then missed the 2022 cycle entirely.
| Stats | Total |
|---|---|
| World Cup appearances | 12 |
| Matches played | 51 |
| Wins | 19 |
| Draws | 13 |
| Losses | 19 |
| Goals for | 80 |
| Goals against | 73 |
| Best finish | Runners up (1958) |
Sweden World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Group F is winnable on paper and treacherous in practice. The Netherlands are the seeded favourite, Japan reach knockouts at every recent World Cup, and Tunisia bring Africa Cup of Nations grit. Sweden’s opener against Tunisia in Monterrey looks like the must win.
Potter set up Sweden in a 4-3-3 throughout the playoffs. Alexander Isak drifts between the lines from the left, with Viktor Gyökeres pinning centre backs through the middle. Anthony Elanga stretches the field on the right. The attacking pace is real.
Midfield is the weak spot. Tottenham teenager Lucas Bergvall and Brighton’s Yasin Ayari handle the running, but neither dominates territory. Potter often shifts to a 4-4-2 block against stronger sides.
Captain Victor Lindelöf marshals the back four with Aston Villa polish, and AIK veteran Kristoffer Nordfeldt takes over in goal from the retired Robin Olsen. The plan is simple. Stay compact, break fast, finish chances. Reaching the Round of 32 looks realistic. Anything beyond depends on the bracket and whether Isak and Gyökeres convert at international level.
Also Check: Sweden World Cup 2026 Final Squad
Sweden FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is Sweden in at the 2026 World Cup?
Sweden is in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. The group runs from June 14 to June 25, 2026 across Monterrey, Houston, and Dallas.
When is Sweden’s first match?
Sweden open against Tunisia on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Monterrey Stadium. Kick off is 10:00 PM ET, which is 4:00 AM CEST on Monday morning in Sweden.
How did Sweden qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Sweden finished bottom of UEFA qualifying Group B with no wins, two draws, and four losses. They entered the playoff via Nations League ranking, beat Ukraine 3-1 in the semifinal, and edged Poland 3-2 in the final.
Can I watch the 2026 World Cup for free in Sweden?
Yes. TV4 and SVT share free to air rights to all 104 matches. Live streaming runs through TV4 Play and SVT Play at no cost on iOS, Android, and smart TVs.
Who is Sweden’s head coach?
Graham Potter took charge of Sweden on October 20, 2025. The former Brighton, Chelsea, and West Ham boss replaced Jon Dahl Tomasson and led the playoff turnaround.
What is Sweden’s best World Cup finish?
Sweden finished runners up at the 1958 World Cup as hosts, losing the final 5-2 to Brazil. They also won bronze medals in 1950 and 1994.
Do Swedes need a visa for the USA for the World Cup?
Sweden is part of the US Visa Waiver Program, so travellers can enter for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA. Apply through the US Embassy in Sweden before booking flights.
Who are Sweden’s key players?
Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) and Alexander Isak (Liverpool) lead the attack. Captain Victor Lindelöf (Aston Villa) anchors the defence, with Anthony Elanga (Newcastle) and Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham) supporting from wide and midfield.
Sweden have not won a knockout match since beating Switzerland in 2018. Potter’s group must beat Tunisia and steal a point against the Netherlands or Japan to keep the FIFA World Cup 2026 alive into the next round.
