Sweden Women’s Football Team Triumphs Over Italy and Faces Social Media Challenges Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers

Sweden’s women’s national football team started their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory against Italy in Reggio Calabria. The only goal of the match was scored by Filippa Angeldahl. Despite several attempts by Italy to level the score, including a post hit and a crucial defensive header clearance by Sweden, the team maintained their lead to secure the win. Bella Andersson, who made her debut for the national team during this match, expressed her joy: "It is so nice that we won. This is the best Tuesday of my life."

Sweden’s qualifying group includes Italy, Serbia, and Denmark, with each team playing each other twice. The group winner will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the teams finishing second and third have a chance to qualify through additional matches in the fall. Sweden’s upcoming matches include a clash against Serbia on March 7, followed by games against Denmark and Italy in April and June.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, young player Smilla Holmberg's recent transfer from Hammarby to Arsenal’s Women’s Super League team sparked unwanted sexist comments on social media, leading Arsenal to delete posts and disable comments to protect her. Holmberg remarked, "In an optimal world, such things wouldn’t exist," highlighting the challenges female athletes face despite growing visibility in the sport. Veteran Kosovare Asllani added that increased media exposure unfortunately brings negative attention that should not have a place in women’s football.

Sweden’s team continues to prepare both competitively and mentally as they aim to advance successfully in the World Cup qualifiers while navigating the evolving landscape of women’s football visibility and support.