Sweden Set to Face Tunisia in World Cup Opener

Sweden is set to kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia at Estadio Monterrey this Sunday. This marks the 13th time the Swedish team has participated in the prestigious tournament, as they aim to mirror their successful journey to the quarter-finals in 2018. Under the guidance of Graham Potter, the national team has seen a remarkable turnaround after a challenging start to their qualifying campaign.

Initially, Sweden struggled under Jon Dahl Tomasson, finishing last in their qualifying group. However, they managed to secure their spot in the tournament through the UEFA playoffs, aided by their Nations League ranking. Potter has reinvigorated the squad, which boasts an impressive array of attacking talent. Historically, Sweden has performed well in World Cup openers, losing only two of their 12 initial matches, with the last defeat dating back to 1990 against Brazil. Despite this, they must address defensive issues, having conceded in their last 11 matches, while their opponents, Tunisia, enter the match without conceding during their African qualifiers.

Regarding team news, Graham Potter has received positive updates on player fitness, with almost all members of the 26-man squad available for selection. The only confirmed absence is defender Emil Holm, who withdrew prior to the tournament. Leeds United's Gabriel Gudmundsson is a slight concern due to a recent illness and will be assessed before kickoff. Victor Lindelof has fully recovered from a minor injury and is expected to lead the defense, supported by Isak Hien and Gustaf Lagerbielke. Meanwhile, Kristoffer Nordfeldt is anticipated to start in goal.

In midfield, Jesper Karlstrom and Yasin Ayari will be crucial in controlling the game's pace, while Benjamin Nygren is expected to take on a role connecting the midfield with the attack. Viktor Gyökeres, who has been in outstanding form, will spearhead the attack alongside Alexander Isak. Gyökeres notably scored a hat-trick against Ukraine and the decisive goal against Poland, and he has been flawless from the penalty spot, converting his last 29 attempts for club and country.

The predicted lineup for Sweden is as follows: Nordfeldt; Hien, Lindelof, Lagerbielke; Bernhardsson, Karlstrom, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Nygren; Gyökeres, Isak.

The match is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, June 14, 2026. In the UK, viewers can watch the game live on ITV1, while fans in the United States can tune in via Fox Sports.