Sweden Announces 26-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup, Excluding Kulusevski and Larsson

Sweden's national football team, under coach Graham Potter, has unveiled its final 26-player squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place across the USA, Mexico, and Canada starting June 15, 2026. The squad marks Sweden's return to major international competition since Euro 2021, with the team scheduled to begin their tournament campaign against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico.

Key selections include Liverpool's Alexander Isak despite his recent injury concerns. Potter expressed hope that Isak would regain form in preparatory friendlies against Norway on June 1 and Greece on June 4. The squad combines experienced personnel and new additions, such as Ken Sema from Pafos and Taha Ali from Malmö.

Notable exclusions have sparked considerable attention. Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham's star, is omitted due to a persistent knee injury that sidelined him from competitive play for almost a year. Though Kulusevski had expressed confidence in returning to form following Sweden's playoffs against Poland, Potter emphasized caution, stating this was the right decision for both the player and team. The coach acknowledged the difficulty of these selections, particularly Kulusevski's exclusion, noting "It's a very difficult decision. It’s about where he is and his recent years. He is professional. He accepts it. But it’s very hard."

Young talents Hugo Larsson of Eintracht Frankfurt and Roony Bardghji of FC Barcelona were also left out, with Potter highlighting a focus on building a cohesive team able to endure the lengthy tournament period. Bardghji responded to his omission with a message of resilience, quoting Psalm 23:4 on social media. Herman Johansson from FC Dallas is named as a reserve player until a final squad submission deadline 24 hours before the opening match.

Sweden's group includes Tunisia, the Netherlands, and Japan, with matches scheduled from June 15 to June 26. The players will convene in Stockholm on May 27 and travel to the USA on June 6 for final preparations.

This announcement closes a crucial chapter in Sweden's football preparations, balancing the challenges of injuries with the imperative of team unity heading into the World Cup stage.