Sweden Draws 2-2 with Greece in Final World Cup Warm-Up Match Amid Mixed Performances and Injury Concerns

In their last preparatory match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sweden drew 2-2 against Greece in a game that unveiled both promise and areas needing improvement. The match, played shortly before Sweden travels to the USA for further training ahead of their June 15 World Cup opener against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, was marked by a shaky start and late defensive lapses.

Sweden fell behind early after conceding a goal to Greece's Kostas Tsimikas in the 10th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error during a corner kick. The Swedish defense, missing captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf due to precautionary reasons, struggled in the first half as Greece pressed hard, causing disruptions and scoring to establish a 1-0 lead. Coach Graham Potter acknowledged the team's poor first-half showing, emphasizing the need to reduce careless turnovers to prevent giving the opposition chances.

The second half saw improvements as Viktor Gyökeres equalized with a well-executed free kick, marking his 28th birthday celebration. Following substitutions that introduced Taha Ali and Gustaf Nilsson, the duo combined for Nilsson to put Sweden ahead 2-1 around the 69th minute. However, the lead was short-lived; Greece managed a dramatic injury-time equalizer through Giorgos Masouras in the 95th minute, dampening hopes of a closing victory.

Despite the draw, positives came in the form of Gyökeres' and Alexander Isak's attacking partnership, although both players admitted their interplay was not at its best. Gyökeres, who joined the squad late due to club commitments with Arsenal including their Premier League celebrations and Champions League final, expressed satisfaction with his physical condition and match minutes ahead of the World Cup. Isak, coming back from injury, also highlighted the need for better on-field coordination.

Injuries were a concern, with players Anthony Elanga and Benjamin Nygren also sustaining knocks during the match. Potter reassured that these were minor and expected to be resolved soon, with no threat to the team’s World Cup readiness.

With the World Cup kicking off on June 11 and Sweden's first fixture against Tunisia set for June 15, this final friendly reflected a team striving to find cohesion yet facing challenges in defense and consistency. Potter’s post-match disappointment was clear: "We should have won," he stated, signaling a call for improvements as Sweden heads to the tournament. Nonetheless, the offensive potential, particularly from Gyökeres and Isak, offers hope for stronger performances in the weeks ahead.