At the end of March, the European Championship qualifiers begin, when Sweden is pitted against Belgium and Azerbaijan in two home matches. Now Janne Andersson has presented the squad that will take on these qualifying matches.
There has been a lot to speculate about before Janne Andersson’s squad selection for the European Championship qualifiers against Belgium and Azerbaijan. Would Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been injured for about a year but has now made three appearances for Milan, take his place? In that case, who is kicked out of the squad? Are newer additions like Aiham Ousou back again? Can previously injured Emil Holm be there, and who replaces him if he is not ready to play?
On Wednesday, Janne Andersson finally presented the squad at a press conference. Then we can state that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back. Janne explained that he does not see him as a starting player, given that he has not started for Milan yet, but that he can jump in. In addition, Andersson highlighted the importance of having a player like Zlatan in the squad, with the importance he has through his leadership and his ability to help the other players. Zlatan is truly a player who increases interest in the national team, and who makes more people want to watch Sweden’s matches.
Aiham Ousou is not in the squad. However, Emil Holm is selected. Andersson explained, however, that the situation around Holm as well as Isak Hien and Carl Starfelt is such that they have all just returned from injuries, and that it is uncertain exactly where they stand. To cover up, Andersson has therefore selected an extra large squad, with a total of 26 names.
A surprise is that Jens Cajuste is missing. Janne Andersson explained that he sees the other central midfielders – Kristoffer Olsson, Mattias Svanberg, Jesper Karlström, Albin Ekdal and Samuel Gustafson – as slightly better than Cajuste at the moment. However, Cajuste is young and a player that we will see in the national team again soon.
Matches against Belgium and Azerbaijan
Sweden therefore plays against Belgium on Friday, March 24 and against Azerbaijan on Monday, March 27 this collection. Then it will be until June before it is time for more EC qualifying matches. Other teams in Sweden’s five-team group are Austria and Estonia. If you are interested in playing the matches, we can advise you to check out odds bonuses without wagering requirements.
See Sweden’s entire squad below!
Goalkeepers
Viktor Johansson, Rotherham United
Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK
Robin Olsen, Aston Villa
Defender
Joel Andersson, FC Midtjylland
Ludwig Augustinsson, Majorca
Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley
Gabriel Gudmundsson, Lille
Isak Hien, Hellas Verona
Emil Holm, Spezia
Edvin Kurtulus, Hammarby
Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Manchester United
Carl Starfelt, Celtic
Midfielder
Viktor Claesson, FC Copenhagen
Albin Ekdal, Spezia
Emil Forsberg, RB Leipzig
Samuel Gustafson, BK Häcken
Jesper Karlsson, AZ Alkmaar
Jesper Karlström, Lech Poznan
Kristoffer Olsson, FC Midtjylland
Anthony Elanga, Manchester United
Mattias Svanberg, Wolfsburg
Forwards
Robin Quaison, Al-Ettifaq
Viktor Gyökeres, Coventry
Alexander Isaac, Newcastle
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan
Dejan Kulusevski, Tottenham