Sweden's World Cup squad is set, and it's a blockbuster lineup featuring two of the Premier League's most electric talents. Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres and Liverpool forward Alexander Isak have both been called up, bringing serious firepower to the Scandinavian side for the summer tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
But not every star made the cut. Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski, sidelined all season with a knee injury, misses out—a tough call for Sweden coach Graham Potter. "A very, very difficult decision," Potter admitted in a press conference, noting the 26-year-old's rehab timeline left little room for match readiness before the opening game.
Isak's inclusion comes with its own caveats. The 26-year-old has battled injuries all campaign, starting just eight league matches for Liverpool since his record-breaking £125 million move from Newcastle last summer. "We hope he finishes the season with some game time," Potter said. "Our challenge is to get Alex in top form—because if he does, he's a world-class player."
Sweden's path to the finals was anything but smooth. After a dismal qualifying campaign that saw them finish bottom of their group with just two points, the team found redemption in the Nations League. Back-to-back playoff wins over Ukraine and Poland punched their ticket to the big stage. "It's incredibly exciting—a huge honour for me," Potter said. "The response from our supporters has been fantastic, and we're ready to create more memories during the World Cup."
Gyokeres and Isak headline a squad packed with Premier League talent. Eleven British-based players made the cut, including goalkeepers Viktor Johansson (Stoke) and Jacob Widell Zetterstrom (Derby), defenders Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds), and Victor Lindelof (Aston Villa). Midfielders Yasin Ayari (Brighton) and Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham) add creativity, while Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga and Celtic forward Benjamin Nygren provide depth up front.
Sweden kicks off their Group F campaign against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, on June 14 (03:00 BST, June 15). With Isak and Gyokeres leading the line, the Blue and Yellow are poised to make some noise. Get your Sweden gear ready—this squad is built to surprise.
