As the World Cup draws near, Sweden head coach Graham Potter officially announced his final 26-man squad on May 12, a decision that has stirred significant debate due to the omission of key players, most notably Dejan Kulusevski. Potter admitted that selecting the roster was an extremely difficult process, emphasizing the emotional toll of leaving out talented individuals.
“Making these decisions is very tough, it’s not an easy process. From a human perspective, I know what it means to exclude players, and it’s harsh for them,” Potter said. He explained that his choices were based on recent form, match minutes, and the team’s structural needs for a long tournament. “For some players, I have chosen others in recent matches. It might be right or wrong, but that’s our approach now. Some players are ahead. We must consider the demands of being away for two months and ability to handle a prolonged campaign.”
Regarding Kulusevski, the Swedish playmaker has been sidelined for nearly a year due to injury and is still recovering. “About Dejan, this was a very difficult decision. He has had a long injury recovery and is still in the rehabilitation process. It’s hard for him to reach the required match intensity in a short time,” Potter stated. He stressed that the national team must act in the best collective interest, not just based on individual talent.
Other notable omissions include La Liga champion Bardghji, who recently won the league title with his club, and youngsters Elliot Stroud and Eric Smith — the latter being included despite fitness concerns. Potter noted that these exclusions do not close the door on their future, but reflect current squad composition and tournament demands.
Sweden retains flexibility until June 1, when the final squad must be submitted to FIFA. Additionally, forward Herman Johansson has been designated as a standby player, training with the team and participating in warm-up matches in case of injury.
Sweden’s World Cup campaign begins on June 14 against Tunisia, with several friendlies scheduled to finalize the lineup.