Sweden

The Road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Before qualifying began few would have backed Sweden to make it to the World Cup, especially after losing retired talisman and long-term captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and after being drawn in a group with the Netherlands and France.

Nonetheless, the Swedes showed typical resilience, and in the very first group game they secured a home draw against the Dutch, before going on to win all their home games, including against France. The Dutch, meanwhile, played out a hugely disappointing campaign which left them three points behind Sweden but with a far inferior goal difference going into the final qualifying game against each other. Although the Netherlands restored minimal pride by winning 2-0, the Swedes’ crushing victories over both Belarus and Luxemburg in previous games, with an overall count of 12-0, meant Janne Andersson’s team progressed to the play-offs in second place behind France.

When they were drawn against four-time world champions Italy, who had not failed to qualify for a World Cup for 60 years, the Swedes were again perceived to be outsiders. Surprisingly, however, Sweden secured a 1-0 win in the first leg at home, before defending bravely to secure a 0-0 draw in Milan to progress to Russia 2018.

Stars

Gone are the days of all-time top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Sweden is now looking for new heroes on the pitch. One of them could be Marcus Berg, who scored eight goals during the qualifiers. It was largely thanks to his efforts that Sweden succeeded in bettering the Netherlands’ goal difference and claiming a play-off place. Recently, the 31-year-old center forward has moved to Al-Ain FC in the United Arab Emirates, but he continues to feature prominently in the national team.

On the left wing, Sweden rely on the versatile Emil Forsberg, who has become an integral part of the team through his crossing and shooting skills and ability with the ball at his feet.

The defense centers on Andreas Granqvist, who is well-known among fans of Russian club Krasnodar. After Ibrahimovic left the national team setup, Granqvist was handed the captaincy, and the 32-year-old center-back was imperious in holding off Italy in the play-off second leg.

Fans have also placed high hopes on Victor Lindelof, who plays for English giants Manchester United. While he has yet to shine for his club team, the World Cup will be an important proving ground for the 23-year-old defender.

Coach

After Euro 2016, head coach Erik Hamren stepped down following seven years in charge. He had helped the team to compete at several European Championships, but had never taken the team as far as the World Cup. Janne Andersson, little known outside Sweden, took his place. His biggest previous achievement was helping IFK Norrköping win the Swedish Championship, and it was exactly because of this success in undermining the hegemony of Malmö FF that the Swedish Football Association chose him to coach the national team.

Andersson fulfilled a Herculean task in leading the team to the World Cup, and more surprises could come from the 55-year-old and his team in Russia.

Past Achievements

Sweden were at their footballing peak during the early World Cup tournaments. In 1934, the team made it to the semi-finals, defeating Argentina on the way. Four years later, Sweden were due to start the tournament against Austria, but the situation with Germany meant they moved on to face Cuba. That game ended well for the Swedes as they recorded an 8-0 win and proceeded to the semi-finals, where they suffered defeat against Hungary before losing the third-place play-off against Brazil.

After World War II, Sweden continued to impress at World Cups, and in 1950 reached the final group round and eventually claimed third place. Sweden did not take part in the next World Cup, but as hosts in 1958 they topped their group and claimed victory over the USSR and Germany in reaching the final, where they went down 5-2 to Brazil, who had a young Pele in the team.

After that, the Swedes became rarer World Cup participants, although in 1974 they went as far as the second group stage and were ranked fifth overall. Twenty years later, at USA ’94, the Swedish team made it to the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Brazil. They comfortably won the third-place play-off against Bulgaria, 4-0.

Russia 2018 will be the Swedes’ 12th appearance at the World Cup Finals.