Sweden Dominates Tunisia 5-1 in Dream Start to 2026 World Cup

Sweden kicked off their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, setting a positive tone for their tournament run. The match saw Sweden take early control, with Yasin Ayari opening the scoring just seven minutes in after a brilliant long ball from Victor Nilsson Lindelöf which caused confusion for Tunisian goalkeeper Mouhib Chamakh. Though Ayari, who has Tunisian roots, refrained from celebrating his goal out of respect, his contribution ignited the Swedish team.

Alexander Isak, returning from a challenging season, netted his first World Cup goal in the 30th minute, doubling Sweden's lead with an impressive long-range finish that emphasized his importance to the squad. Tunisia managed to pull one back late in the first half through a header by Omar Rekik, but Sweden quickly regained momentum in the second half.

Viktor Gyökeres capitalized on a Tunisian defensive error to score Sweden's third goal, assisted by Isak, reinforcing Sweden's attacking threat. Shortly after entering the field, substitute Mattias Svanberg scored his first goal only 17 seconds after coming on, initially ruled offside but later confirmed by VAR, adding to Sweden's dominance. Yasin Ayari sealed the emphatic win by scoring his second goal during stoppage time.

This 5-1 triumph marks Sweden’s largest World Cup opening victory since their 8-0 win against Cuba in 1938. Sweden now leads Group F following a draw between the Netherlands and Japan, positioning themselves favorably ahead of their next group match against the Netherlands on June 20.

Coach Graham Potter praised the team’s stability, organization, and collaborative spirit throughout the match, highlighting the players’ determination and calmness under pressure. Team captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf echoed the sentiment, commending his teammates’ performance. Ayari expressed pride and optimism, saying, “When no one believed in us, the group came together, and we seized the opportunity.”

Sweden’s confident performance under the hot Monterrey sun showcases their attacking prowess and teamwork, boosting hopes of advancing deeper into the World Cup as the tournament continues across the USA, Canada, and Mexico through July 19, 2026.