It is now clear that Sweden will meet Italy, Argentina and South Korea in the FIFA World Cup this summer.
The Sportbladet team admires the group and answers who will be the most important player for Sweden in the World Cup.
Frieda Fagerlund
1. Sweden group is selected. What is the biggest threat?
– Italia. But considering what they showed, or might not show, at this summer’s EC, the Sweden range feels very affordable. For example, South Africa fell 0-6 to Brazil in September, and Sweden defeated opponents 3-1 earlier this year. Argentina is a little stronger but did not qualify from the group stage.
2. Aside from Sweden, which group are you most looking to follow?
Group B with Australia, Ireland, Canada and Nigeria is the Commonwealth of Nations. Then it’s a little exciting to see the defending champions USA face the Netherlands (who were defeated in the final in 2019) and what will most likely be Portugal.
3. Which Swedish player will be the most important in Sweden’s World Cup adventure?
– A handful could be lifted, but I landed at Stina Blackstenius. If they can stay complete all the way and keep going, Sweden has one of the most complete backlines in the world to count on.
4. Finally: How does the Sweden group end?
Sweden wins, Italy and Argentina settle in second place.
Anna Redin
1. Sweden group is selected. What is the biggest threat?
Sweden itself is the biggest threat in the group. Of course, Italy can cause problems, but this is a group from which Sweden should advance without much difficulty.
2. Aside from Sweden, which group are you most looking to follow?
There are many matches I am looking forward to but if I had to pick a group it would be the USA, Holland, Vietnam and the play-off winner would probably be Portugal. Perhaps above all because it is the group that will face Sweden in the last 16 in the final.
3. Which Swedish player will be the most important in Sweden’s World Cup adventure?
This is a very good question. The national team that Gerhardsson built is a team that should not stand up and fall with one player. Blackstenius will be important both offensively and defensively and will grow with the confidence she receives at Arsenal during the season. Natalie Björn could be a key player in this squad when the time comes next summer. And like this I can go on for a while considering that I didn’t mention any of the captains.
But if I had to say only one, it would be… Jennifer Falk or Zesera Mosovich. Whoever gets the trust between the publications will become the most important player in Sweden if this goes all the way.
4. Finally: How does the Sweden group end?
Sweden wins the group ahead of Italy. Argentina ranks third and last we find South Africa.
Christopher Bergstrom
1. Sweden group is selected. What is the biggest threat?
Twelve years ago, I would have said we were going to dance Jetberg through this set. World football doesn’t look like that anymore. But we’ll run, kick, nod, and sweat our way through these three games. In the end, nine points. So there are no threats to talk about.
2. Aside from Sweden, which group are you most looking to follow?
the second group. And I’m not expecting any sulfur and finesse but 540 minutes of hustle and bustle between Australia, Ireland, Nigeria and Canada. It will be ugly. It won’t hurt. It will be beautiful.
3. Which Swedish player will be the most important in Sweden’s World Cup adventure?
Natalie Bjorn. I expect she and Hannah Benison to lead this team within a year. And I hope she plays a central defender, where I like her better, even if she herself prefers the midfield.
4. Finally: How does the Sweden group end?
Sweden, Italy, South Africa and Argentina.
