The Swedish Football Association announced its 26-man squad for the upcoming World Cup in North America on May 12, local time. With Sweden grouped alongside Japan, the selection has sparked heated debate back home.
A local football commentator has strongly criticized the decision, questioning why the team would call up players from second-division clubs while leaving out Barcelona stars. “It’s unthinkable to exclude Barcelona players and bring in second-division ones,” the pundit said, describing the selection as “cowardly.”
The squad includes high-profile names like Viktor Gyökeres, Alexander Isak, and Yasin Ayari, but the absence of certain Barcelona-based players has raised eyebrows. The commentator argued that the choice reflects a lack of ambition and an overly cautious approach, especially given the competition in Group. Sweden is set to face Japan, along with other strong opponents, and the analyst warned that such a conservative selection could backfire.
The criticism adds to the growing scrutiny over Sweden’s preparation for the tournament, as fans and experts alike question whether the squad has the necessary firepower and experience to progress deep into the competition.
