Sweden draw with Italy, finish third in group

Draw with Italy leaves Sweden third

Sweden's World Cup qualifying campaign ended with a 2–2 draw against Italy in Gothenburg on Tuesday. The result means Blågult finish third in their group, which pushes them into a tougher playoff path. Bella Andersson and Smilla Holmberg got the goals, but Italy struck through Elisabetta Oliviero and Martina Piemonte to snatch a point. The decisive moment came late when Sweden failed to clear a ball in the box – SVT expert Hanna Marklund was blunt: "They should be able to clear that ball" (1) (2). Julia Zigiotti Olme, Hanna Lundkvist, and Fridolina Rolfö all featured in a match Sweden needed to win. The playoff draw now becomes critical for your World Cup hopes.

World Cup spotlight on Sweden

A detailed profile of Sweden's World Cup 2026 campaign is doing the rounds this week, painting Graham Potter's side as a potential tournament surprise. Having qualified through the playoff route, the squad is being framed as one that could cause problems for bigger names in Dallas. The piece covers the team's history, qualification path, and key figures heading into the group stage (3).

Taha Ali's unlikely rise

Taha Ali's journey from security guard to World Cup icon is getting the full treatment ahead of the tournament. His standout performance against Greece in the warm-up match has cemented him as one of the faces of this Sweden squad. It's a remarkable story – and one that will follow Blågult into the group stage (4).