Sweden is returning to the world stage after missing the 2018 World Cup (the Ibrahimovic era) and the 2022 World Cup. With English coach Graham Potter, who took over in October 2025, a new chapter is beginning for Swedish soccer. Group F, which includes the Netherlands and Japan, poses a major challenge.

Coach Graham Potter named three goalkeepers to the Blagult squad: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Viktor Johansson, and Jacob Widell Zetterström. All three play club soccer in England or Sweden—and all three share an unusually long history with the national team, which is heading into this tournament without a regular starting goalkeeper.

Nordfeldt’s story is one of the most remarkable of this World Cup. Since his international debut in January 2011, he spent over 15 years as the second- or third-string goalkeeper, sitting on the bench during the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020. When Robin Olsen left the national team under then-coach Tomasson, a door opened that had long since closed for many. Coach Graham Potter turned to the 36-year-old and made him the number one. In the decisive playoff matches against Ukraine (a 1-3 victory for Sweden) and Poland (a 3-2 win in the final), Nordfeldt stood in goal—and delivered. These were only his 19th and 20th international caps overall, and his fifth and sixth in competitive matches.

At AIK in the Allsvenskan, he is the captain and a leader. He will be 37 years old during the 2026 World Cup, making him one of the oldest starting goalkeepers in the entire tournament.

Johansson, 27 years old and currently playing for Stoke City in the Championship, is the designated backup. This season, he has made 24 appearances—an impressive tally in England’s second division. Johansson was Sweden’s first-choice goalkeeper for many years under various coaches, but had to give way to Nordfeldt after the latter was unexpectedly given the nod. With a contract at Stoke through 2027 and a career that continues to rise, he is the Potters’ clear second option and a potential successor to Nordfeldt.

Zetterström, 27, transferred from Djurgården to Derby County in 2024 and established himself there as the starting goalkeeper in the Championship. This season, he has started 28 league games. He brings a wealth of Allsvenskan experience and has played in the UEFA Conference League; for Potter, he is the third option in goal.