Swedish Hockey Stars Filip Forsberg, Marcus Johansson, and Hampus Lindholm Excluded from Olympic Debut Lineup

Ahead of Sweden's opening ice hockey match against Italy at the 2026 Winter Olympics, notable Swedish players Filip Forsberg, Marcus Johansson, and Hampus Lindholm were left out of the starting lineup, provoking discussion among experts and fans alike.

Tre Kronor's head coach Sam Hallam confirmed the exclusions following the pre-match warm-up. Johansson and Lindholm were recent call-ups—Johansson replacing Leo Carlsson and Lindholm stepping in for Jonas Brodin, both sidelined due to withdrawals. Hallam noted the intense competition for positions within the team, explaining that securing a spot among the seven defensemen and thirteen forwards is remarkably difficult. Johansson acknowledged his initial disappointment but remained optimistic about potential future participation, reflecting on the high stakes of roster selection.

In the offensive lineup, Filip Forsberg, who leads Swedish NHL players with 24 goals this season, was surprisingly benched in favor of William Nylander. Despite Nylander's recent injury concerns, he was chosen for the first line alongside Joel Eriksson Ek and Adrian Kempe. TV4 ice hockey expert Henrik Lundqvist commented on the decision, describing it as a "complex puzzle" and "difficult to understand from the outside." Lundqvist emphasized the strategic nature of selecting the top six forwards and suggested that having a player like Forsberg available as a reserve could be advantageous in the tournament's progression. Fellow expert Staffan Kronwall echoed these sentiments.

Other notable absences in the lineup include Jesper Wallstedt, while Oliver Ekman Larsson was placed as the seventh defenseman. The game against Italy is scheduled to kick off at 21:10.

These selection choices highlight the deep talent pool within Swedish hockey and the tactical considerations facing the coaching staff as they aim for Olympic success.