Carl Starfelt Returns Strong Ahead of Sweden's World Cup Opener

Carl Starfelt has overcome a challenging back injury that sidelined him during critical matches for both Celta Vigo and the Swedish national team, positioning himself confidently for Sweden's 2026 World Cup campaign. The central defender recently played a warm-up match against Greece, marking his return to the pitch. "It feels very good actually, it has gone as well as I had hoped. I have trained fully now," Starfelt shared, highlighting his accelerated recovery and readiness.

Sweden's defense, previously exposed in recent matches—a 1-3 loss to Norway and a 2-2 draw with Greece—has been a focal point of concern for the team. Defender Isak Hien stressed the importance of improving their defensive aggression, noting, "We have let too many goal chances slip by, and we need to work on that." Hjalmar Ekdal emphasized learning from these setbacks before the World Cup matches commence, stating that it's beneficial to identify weaknesses during training or less crucial fixtures.

Team captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, who missed some recent games due to injury, is expected to rejoin the defense alongside Hien and potentially Gustaf Lagerbielke. Meanwhile, Starfelt expressed confidence about his role in the upcoming World Cup fixture against Tunisia, scheduled for June 15 at 04:00 Swedish time, affirming, "I am absolutely ready to play."

The Swedish team's defensive lineup, including their use of a five-man backline, remains a strategic point of focus as they prepare for the World Cup opener. Starfelt's comeback adds valuable depth and experience, critical for shoring up Sweden's defense after the trials of recent matches.