Sweden vs Tunisia Preview: Potter’s Revitalized Swedes Face Defensive Test Against Qualifying Perfectionists

The Swedes endured a disastrous start under Jon Dahl Tomasson before securing their tournament ticket through the UEFA playoffs thanks to their Nations League ranking. Potter has completely transformed the team’s trajectory, guiding them through thrilling victories over Ukraine and Poland in March.

Tunisia step onto the global stage for a seventh time, having achieved qualifying history by winning their group without conceding a single goal. The Eagles of Carthage face an immense challenge in a competitive Group F that also features the Netherlands and Japan, seeking to finally progress beyond the group stage after six previous World Cup appearances without advancement.

Sweden’s Playoff Redemption

The Blue and Yellow suffered one of the most embarrassing qualifying campaigns in their history, finishing bottom of their group behind Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia under Tomasson. They collected just two points during that dismal six-match run, seemingly destined to miss the World Cup entirely.

However, their UEFA Nations League ranking provided a lifeline. Potter’s appointment proved transformative. He guided Sweden to thrilling playoff victories over Ukraine and Poland in March, with Viktor Gyökeres scoring a hat-trick against the former and netting the winner against the latter. The striker has successfully converted his last 29 penalties for club and country, providing genuine firepower in attack.

Sweden have progressed beyond the group stage in their last four World Cup appearances and have lost just two of their 12 opening matches in tournament history. Their last opening defeat came against Brazil in 1990. However, defensive frailties remain a concern – they have conceded in 11 consecutive fixtures heading into this match.

Potter has reported almost no injury concerns within his vibrant 26-man squad. Defender Emil Holm is the only confirmed absentee after withdrawing before the tournament. Gabriel Gudmundsson faces a late fitness evaluation after battling a severe virus, with Daniel Svensson or Elliot Stroud standing ready to provide cover.

Victor Lindelof will anchor a flexible three-man defensive unit alongside Isak Hien and Gustaf Lagerbielke. Kristoffer Nordfeldt starts in goal. Jesper Karlstrom and Yasin Ayari will dictate tempo from the midfield engine room, with Benjamin Nygren occupying the advanced playmaker role. Gyökeres partners Alexander Isak in attack, forming a lethal combination.

Tunisia’s Qualifying Excellence Meets Tournament Reality

The Eagles of Carthage achieved absolute perfection during African qualifying, collecting 28 points from a possible 30. Remarkably, they became the first African team to qualify without conceding a single goal – an extraordinary defensive accomplishment that will be severely tested against potent Swedish attacking talent.

Tunisia’s World Cup record tells a harsher story. They have never progressed beyond the first round across six previous tournaments, with only Scotland boasting more appearances without advancement. Their 16.7% win rate – just three victories in 18 matches – highlights the immense difficulty of competing at this level.

Recent form provides little encouragement. They suffered a damaging 5-0 thrashing against Belgium during their final tournament preparations and also lost to Austria. The contrast between their defensive perfection in qualifying and inability to compete with top-tier opposition suggests the jump in quality has caught them out.

Lamouchi expects a fully fit squad available for Sunday’s match. Burnley playmaker Hannibal Mejbri will regain his starting spot in midfield after sitting out recent friendlies, providing vital creative energy. Union Berlin midfielder Rani Khedira should also return to anchor the starting eleven with his invaluable tactical experience.

Former Arsenal prospect Omar Rekik will marshal the defensive line alongside Montassar Talbi. Yan Valery and Ali Abdi operate as dynamic full-backs, while Mouhib Chamakh starts in goal. Ellyes Skhiri captains the side and dictates tempo alongside Khedira. Ismaël Gharbi and Elias Achouri provide dangerous width and pace on the wings, with Firas Chaouat leading the line as the central striker.

Team News

Sweden: Potter reports no major injury concerns. Emil Holm is ruled out, while Gabriel Gudmundsson faces a late fitness evaluation after a virus. Victor Lindelof partners Isak Hien and Gustaf Lagerbielke in defence. Karlstrom and Ayari anchor the midfield, with Nygren in the attacking playmaker role. Gyökeres and Isak form the attacking partnership.

Tunisia: Lamouchi expects a fully fit squad. Hannibal Mejbri returns to midfield, while Rani Khedira anchors the team. Omar Rekik and Montassar Talbi form the centre-back pairing. Yan Valery and Ali Abdi operate as full-backs. Ellyes Skhiri captains from midfield, with Ismaël Gharbi and Elias Achouri providing width. Firas Chaouat leads the line.

Form Guide

Sweden: Endured a disastrous initial qualifying campaign that appeared to end their World Cup hopes before Potter’s appointment transformed their trajectory. Recent matches have been mixed – thrilling playoff victories over Ukraine and Poland contrasted with a 3-1 loss to Norway and a 2-2 draw with Greece. The squad arrives with renewed confidence despite their inconsistent preparation. Potter’s tactical flexibility and attacking prowess through Gyökeres and Isak provide genuine tournament threat, though defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern against quality opposition.

Tunisia: Arrive in North America boasting near-perfect qualifying credentials, winning nine matches to finish 13 points clear and becoming the first African team to qualify without conceding. However, their recent form presents a far less convincing picture. They suffered a penalty shootout defeat against Mali in the Africa Cup of Nations and then lost heavily to Belgium (5-0) and Austria (2-0) in their final warm-up matches. The massive gulf between their defensive excellence in qualifying and competitive struggles against elite opposition suggests they face an enormous challenge in Group F.

Predicted Lineups

Sweden: Nordfeldt; Hien, Lindelof, Lagerbielke; Bernhardsson, Karlstrom, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Nygren; Gyökeres, Isak

Tunisia: Chamakh; Valery, Rekik, Talbi, Ali Abdi; Skhiri, Khedira; Achouri, Hannibal, Gharbi; Chaouat

Prediction

Sweden’s attacking quality and Potter’s tactical revitalization should prove decisive against opponents who, despite qualifying perfection defensively, have consistently struggled against elite opposition. Tunisia’s defensive solidity offers hope, but their recent heavy defeats and lack of World Cup knockout experience suggest they will be outmaneuvered by a Swedish side hungry to prove their qualifying success wasn’t a fluke.

We say: Sweden 2-0 Tunisia

Kick-off: Sunday, June 14, 2026, 02:00 BST

Venue: Estadio Monterrey, Guadalupe

Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group F

Referee: Yael Falcon Perez (Argentina)

VAR: Leandro Rey Hilfer (Argentina)

Last Meeting: Tunisia 1-0 Sweden, February 12, 2003, International Friendly

How to watch: ITV1 (UK), Fox Sports (USA)