Women’s World Cup 2023: Everything you need to know about Sweden

Sweden′s World Cup 2023 fixtures, betting odds and statistics

[STATISTICS]

You can read all about South Africa, Italy and Argentina by clicking on their names here.

How did Sweden qualify?

Sweden qualified by topping UEFA Group A, They won seven of eight fixtures, against Republic of Ireland, Finland, Slovakia and Georgia, their sole dropped points coming in a 1-1 draw with Ireland in Göteborg.

Sweden’s major tournament record

World Cup

Best World Cup result: Finalists- 2003.

European Championships

Best Euros result: Winners- 1984.

Olympic Games

Best Olympics result: Silver Medalists- 2016 & 2021.

Sweden at World Cup 2023

(Alamy Stock Photo)

Sweden are, without doubt, one of the best teams in the world, so will they go all the way and be the side hoisting aloft the trophy at Stadium Australia on 20 August?

To date, the Blågult have finished third at the World Cup thrice (1991, 2011 & 2019), getting all the way to the final two decades ago, beaten 2-1 by Germany, courtesy of a golden goal, in Los Angeles.

On top of this, Sweden have reached four European Championship Finals, winning the inaugural edition in 1984, and have left the last two Olympic Games with silver medals.

Two summers ago, they won all three group games, knocked out Japan and Australia before a penalty shootout defeat in the Gold Medal match against Canada in Yokohama.

Kosovare Asllani, Anna Anvegård, Caroline Seger and Jonna Andersson all unable to convert from 12 yards.

Then, 12 months ago, Peter Gerhardsson’s side were excellent at the Euros, topping their group unbeaten before ousted Belgium in the last eight, courtesy of Linda Sembrant stoppage time winner in Leigh.

Their run was then ended by a rampant England in the semi-finals, smashed 4-0 at Bramall Lane, with this the Blue and Yellow’s joint-heaviest defeat of all-time.

In the intervening 12 months, Sweden have enjoyed friendly victories over France and China, holding Germany to a goalless draw in February, although they were demolished by Australia in Melbourne back in November.

Nevertheless, Sweden have only failed to get out of their group at one of 16 major tournaments since the turn of the millennium, set to further improve that ratio this summer.

The Blågult’s bid for World Cup glory begins at Wellington Regional Stadium on 23 July, taking on WAFCON champions South Africa.

Sweden will then face Italy at the same venue six days later, before concluding their group phase campaign with a clash against Argentina 405 miles north at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

They should cruise to top spot in Group G, so would then meet Group E’s runners-up in the round of 16, with this likely to be Netherlands, setting up a rematch of the 2019 semi-final, the Dutch prevailing 2-1 that night.

Nevertheless, there’s a lot of football to be played before then, so will the Blue and Yellows live up their potential?

Sweden team news

40 year old goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl retired following Euro 2022, with 193 caps to her name.

Brighton duo Emma Kullberg and Julia Zigiotti Olme were not called up to this squad, while experienced midfielder Freja Olofsson also missed out.

Sweden′s key players: Magdalena Eriksson

(Alamy Stock Photo)

For some teams, picking three key players is extremely easy but, for Sweden, this was certainly not the case.

We could’ve chosen about a dozen players to profile, so honourable mentions to Linda Sembrant, Olivia Schough, Caroline Seger, Lina Hurtig, Sofia Jakobsson and Stina Blackstenius.

One player who had to be selected is defender Magdalena Eriksson, who will be hoping to reach the 100 cap mark at this tournament, currently on 95.

19 of these appearances have come at major tournaments, featuring in six of Sweden’s seven matches at the most-recent World Cup, scoring against the hosts at the Tokyo Olympics too.

Eriksson has spent her last six seasons with Chelsea, winning five FAWSL titles, four FA Cups and two League Cups, making 170 appearances for the Blues.

She’ll be joining Frauen-Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for the start of the next season, which is a big blow for Chelsea.

Sweden′s key players: Kosovare Asllani

(Alamy Stock Photo)

Moving into midfield, Kosovare Asllani remains one of the stars of this star-studded side, having won 170 caps since her debut in 2008.

Shortly after her 20th birthday, Asllani bagged her first international goal, netting against Italy at Euro 2009, scoring 44 times for Sweden in total, doing so at four different major tournaments.

In 2019, she was on target against Chile, Thailand and England at the World Cup, also scoring against Japan at the Olympics and then Portugal at the Euros 12 months ago.

Asllani has a World Cup bronze and two Olympic silver medals in her collection, but is now dreaming of a first major title with her country.

Having previously represented Linköpings, Chicago Red Stars, PSG, Man City, Real Madrid and others, the midfielder moved to A.C. Milan last summer, scoring an impressive ten times in 18 appearances for I Rossonere.

She’ll celebrate her 34th birthday the day after Sweden’s clash with Italy and, despite her age, Asllani remains the heartbeat of this side.

Sweden′s key players: Fridolina Rolfö

(Alamy Stock Photo)

Up front, Peter Gerhardsson has an array of attacking talents to choose from, but Fridolina Rolfö is the pick of the crop.

The 29 year old has 25 international goals to her name, bagging three at the most-recent Olympic Games, all coming in two meetings with Australia, before breaking the deadlock against Switzerland at the 2022 Euros.

After winning the Bundesliga title and two DFB-Pokals with Wolfsburg, Rolfö joined Barcelona two summers ago, picking up five major honours with the Catalan juggernauts.

Back in early-June, she scored the winning goal as Barça came from 2-0 down to beat her former employers 3-2 in the Champions League Final.

That was the third UWCL Final in four seasons for Rolfö, but it was third time lucky, as she finally got her hands on the trophy.

Often deployed at left-back for Barça, expect Rolfö to be utilised higher up the pitch for her country.

Sweden′s possible starting line-up for World Cup 2023

Sweden′s full squad for World Cup 2023

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Group G table