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Potter Names Sweden Squad; Gyökeres, Isak Included, Kulusevski Out

5/13/2026

Summary

Potter Announces Squad

Coach Graham Potter announced Sweden’s 26-man World Cup squad on May 12, 2026.
Striker Viktor Gyökeres earned his spot after a hat-trick versus Ukraine and an 88th-minute winner against Poland.
Liverpool forward Alexander Isak, signed for £125 million, joins despite an injury-hit season that gave him eight starts.
Forward Dejan Kulusevski was omitted due to a year-long knee injury.
Midfielder Hugo Larsson and Barcelona winger Roony Bardghji were cut for competition.

Summary

Isak Seeks Form

Liverpool paid a club-record £125 million for Alexander Isak, their most expensive signing.
Isak recovered from a broken leg in December’s 2-1 win over Tottenham, scoring.
He has started 13 games, made nine substitute appearances and has not completed a full 90-minute match.
Arne Slot expects the World Cup and fixtures against Aston Villa and Brentford to boost Isak’s fitness and fill the goal gap after Mohamed Salah’s June departure.

History

Historical Context

Sweden’s surprise run to the round-of-16 at the 1998 World Cup, where Henrik Larsson emerged as a joint all-time World Cup scorer, sparked a wave of player moves abroad. Since then Sweden have featured in 12 of 22 tournaments (as of 2022). Coach Graham Potter’s 2026 squad mirrors that pattern, relying on costly foreign signings such as Alexander Isak.

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Potter Announces Squad

Coach Graham Potter announced Sweden’s 26-man World Cup squad on May 12, 2026.
Striker Viktor Gyökeres earned his spot after a hat-trick versus Ukraine and an 88th-minute winner against Poland.
Liverpool forward Alexander Isak, signed for £125 million, joins despite an injury-hit season that gave him eight starts.
Forward Dejan Kulusevski was omitted due to a year-long knee injury.
Midfielder Hugo Larsson and Barcelona winger Roony Bardghji were cut for competition.

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