The UEFA team Sweden doesn’t stand in the headlines too often nowadays, but the country has a strong history in mega-tournaments. The country had produced a special talent like Zlatan Ibrahimović while they were among the top teams in early World Cup history.
In the FIFA World Cup 2026, Sweden started from challenging Group F, where they had to face the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. After thrashing Tunisia by 5-1, Sweden suffered a 5-1 defeat against the Netherlands before recording a 1-1 draw against Japan. With four points, Sweden finished in the third position in the points table and advanced to the Round of 32.
FIFA World Cup: Knockout Stage Records
Final Appearances: 1 time
Sweden has played in one World Cup final, where they suffered defeat against Brazil in 1958.
Won: Never
Lost: 1 time (1958)
Result at full regular 90 minutes (including stoppage times):
Won: Never
Lost: 1 time (1958)
Round of 16: 5 games
Sweden have totally mixed records in their World Cup Round of 16 history.
Won: 2 matches
Lost: 3 matches (including 1 extra time)
Quarterfinals: 5 games
Sweden has achieved some memorable successes in the World Cup quarterfinals' history.
Won: 3 matches (including 1 penalty shootout)
Lost: 2 matches
Semifinals: 3 games
In their three World Cup semifinals, Sweden won once, when they reached the final of the tournament in the 1958 edition.
Won: 1 match
Lost: 2 matches
Sweden’s best and worst performances in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages
Biggest Wins
8-0 vs Cuba (Quarterfinal, 1938)
3-1 vs West Germany (Semifinal, 1958)
Biggest Defeats
5-1 vs Hungary (Semifinal, 1938)
5-2 vs Brazil (Final, 1958)
Sweden status in the last 5 major tournaments:
EURO 2024: Round of 16
EURO 2020: Group Stage
FIFA World Cup 2018: Quarterfinals
EURO 2016: Group Stage
EURO 2012: Group Stage
While Sweden has some rich history in major tournaments, they are inconsistent in recent times. However, they have played some knockout stages in recent major tournaments, including reaching the quarterfinals in the World Cup 2018.
