Janne Andersson has presented his squad for the international training matches against Algeria and Mexico. Among other things, we get to see the debutants Emil Holm and Samuel Gustafson.
Sweden missed the WC in Qatar, but international matches will still be played in November. Our national team will face Mexico and Algeria, in two exciting training matches against a different type of opposition than you usually face, nations from other continents.
During Tuesday, Janne Andersson presented his squad for the November collection, and offered a couple of interesting selections. Among other things, we get to see two national team debutants, in the form of Emil Holm from Spezia and Samuel Gustafson from Häcken. Marcus Rohdén is another selection that stands out. The midfielder was involved a lot during Janne’s initial time with the national team, but has not been seen in the squad for a few years.
Janne Andersson lamented during the press conference that nations that are not qualified for the World Cup must have the permission of clubs to take out players for this gathering. Among other things, Spezia has kept Albin Ekdal, while Tottenham chose not to release Dejan Kulusevski. Two players who had an injury history, which could conceivably play into the fact that the clubs want them to rest this time. The same applies to Jens Cajuste. Other players that Janne was prevented from taking out were Mattias Johansson and Carl Starfelt.
Several players were ineligible due to injuries. Among these, Filip Helander, Emil Krafth, Alexander Milosevic, Joakim Nilsson, Kerim Mrabti, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Alexander Isak, Martin Olsson, Albin Ekdal and Alexander Jeremejeff were mentioned.
Meets Mexico and Algeria
Sweden is pitted against Mexico and Algeria during this gathering. It is not normal for Sweden to play against teams from other continents than Europe, not even in practice matches. This is of course due to the fact that it becomes cumbersome with travel, but also to the fact that it is European opposition that you mainly play competitively against, and then it may be appropriate to train against them as well.
Mexico did meet Sweden during the WC 2018, when we won 3-0. While Sweden now misses the World Cup, Mexico will once again play in the championship, and the international match against Sweden is part of the preparations for Qatar. That match will be played on Wednesday 16 November at 20:30 at the Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Algeria misses the World Cup, but plays the African Nations Championship in January. It is a championship where the nation is only allowed to use players from the domestic league, and it remains to be seen whether the squad for the November collection is adapted accordingly. Sweden – Algeria will be played at the Eleda Stadium in Malmö, at 20:30 on Saturday 19 November.
The entire national team squad
Goalkeepers
Andreas Linde, Greuther Fürth
Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK
Robin Olsen, Aston Villa
Defender
Joel Andersson, FC Midtjylland
Ludwig Augustinsson, Aston Villa
Filip Dagerstål, Lech Poznan
Isak Hien, Hellas Verona
Emil Holm, Spezia
Edvin Kurtulus, Hammarby
Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Manchester United
Aiham Ousou, Slavia Prague
Midfielder
Viktor Claesson, FC Copenhagen
Emil Forsberg, RB Leipzig
Samuel Gustafson, BK Häcken
Jesper Karlsson, AZ Alkmaar
Jesper Karlström, Lech Poznan
Kristoffer Olsson, FC Midtjylland
Marcus Rohdén, Frosinone
Ken Sema, Watford
Mattias Svanberg, Wolfsburg
Forwards
Robin Quaison, Al-Ettifaq
Viktor Gyökeres, Coventry
Mikael Ishak, Lech Poznan
Anthony Elanga, Manchester United