Sweden 2026 World Cup Team Preview, Betting Odds, Predictions & Best Bets

By Sarah Lou Jones | May 15, 2026, 3:08pm

Despite finishing bottom of their UEFA Qualifying group, Sweden were awarded a playoff spot thanks to their performances in the Nations League. After beating Ukraine and Poland, Sweden secured their place at this year’s World Cup.

While this Swedish squad does possess quality in areas, they’re in for a tough World Cup campaign. They failed to win any qualifying games, in fact they lost four of their six games, scoring just four goals throughout. Sweden is in a tough World Cup Group F too, alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. Graham Potter’s side will have to be at their very best if they want to progress to the Knockout Stage.

Sweden 2026 World Cup Betting Odds

To Win World Cup:
To Reach Final:
To Reach Semifinal:
To Reach Quarterfinal:
To Win Group F:
To Advance From Group:
Group: Group F
FIFA Rank: 38

Sweden is one of the least popular teams to win the World Cup. Odds of +10000 demonstrate this, they’re considered rank outsiders to even make their way into the Round of 32. They were only awarded a qualifying spot due to their Nations League ranking after a disastrous UEFA qualifying campaign. True, the Blue and Yellow did well to get past Ukraine and Poland to book their World Cup spot. It’s also true that they’ve seen a slight resurgence since Graham Potter took charge. Still, Sweden will enter the tournament as one of the weaker squads in this year’s World Cup.

Odds of +5000 are available for Sweden to reach the Final. Again, it’s incredibly unlikely Graham Potter’s side will reach anywhere near that stage of the tournament. Odds of +250 are available for Sweden to reach the Round of 16. As you’ve probably guessed already, I think this Sweden side will find it tough to reach that stage too.

Sweden 2026 World Cup Best Bet

As you’ve read, I think Sweden is going to struggle to make any kind of impact in this year’s World Cup. They’ve been drawn in a difficult group, the Netherlands and Japan should comfortably qualify from Group F, in fact both are two of my choices to reach the Quarter Final stage. Tunisia is criminally underrated. The African side qualified for World Cup 2026 easily, winning nine of their ten CAF Group games without conceding a goal.

Most sportsbooks have Tunisia as favorites to finish bottom of World Cup Group F. I think differently. Sweden will struggle to win a game in my opinion. Their matchup against Tunisia will be especially key, but my best bet for Sweden is for the Blue and Yellows to finish bottom of their World Cup group.

Sweden Best Bet: Sweden to Finish Bottom of Group F (+275)

Sweden 2026 World Cup Players to Watch

We do expect Sweden to struggle, but their squad does contain some talented, experienced players who will need to be at their best if they’re to achieve anything from this year’s World Cup.

Viktor Gyokeres: The first is striker Gyokeres. He’ll be a key man for his nation if they’re to reach the Knockout Stages. Gyokeres has been an important player for his club Arsenal in the English Premier League – he’ll need to replicate these performances for his country for them to stand a chance of progressing.

Alexander Isak: Fellow striker Isak is another player who will need to be at his goalscoring best. Isak has suffered an injury-hit season but when fully fit, the Liverpool man is an incredibly imposing and clinical frontman.

Anthony Elanga: Another player plying his trade in the English Premier League is Elanga. While his performances haven’t been at their best for his club side Newcastle United, his pace on the wing can cause Sweden’s opponents problems.

Sweden World Cup History

This is the 12th World Cup tournament Sweden have qualified for. Their best performance came in 1958, where they reached the Final but were beaten by Brazil. In recent times, they’ve been inconsistent in terms of qualifying for the competition.

Sweden reached the Round of 16 stage in 2002 and 2006, but failed to qualify again until 2018 where they reached the Quarter Finals. After missing out in 2022, Sweden will be hoping their return to the World Cup will reap at least a place in the Knockout Stages.

Photo Credit: AP/Uncredited

Sarah Lou Jones

Sarah Lou Jones is a sports content writer who has written about sports and casino betting for websites across the globe. Her work has been featured in online publications from the UK, USA and Canada, along with East Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe. While Sarah Lou enjoys a wide range of sports and events, her passion lies in soccer. She has written extensively about betting on soccer leagues and tournaments, ranging from the FIFA World Cup and AFCON to the English Premier League and Major League Soccer. Sarah Lou is an expert in odds analysis and finding value in betting. Away from content writing, Sarah Lou is a soccer coach for Manchester Laces, based in the UK. Sarah lives in Manchester and is an avid supporter of Premier League club Manchester City.