Sweden arrive at Euro 2025 as perennial contenders with unfinished business, armed with quiet determination and a sense of purpose shaped by years on the brink.
What to Expect
This is a team built on experience, depth, and consistency—hallmarks of a side that has so often been close, but not quite close enough. With a trusted core, emerging stars, and a beloved coach leading his final campaign, they won’t be another team as driven to make this one count.
Drawn into a group that includes rivals Germany, progression to the knockout stages should be within reach, but the route beyond gets thorny. If Sweden place top of Group C, a potential quarter-final against high-ranked England or France looms—a significant hurdle for even the most seasoned squads.
Still, with a spine of tournament-hardened players and a deep, versatile squad, Sweden will be expected to go far. Whether they can finally reach the summit depends on form, fitness of some star players, and the emotional fuel of a farewell campaign for their long-serving coach.
Sweden’s preparations have been steady. They are unbeaten since a loss to France in July 2024 and recently beat neighbours Norway 2-0 in a confidence-boosting friendly. Having topped their Nations League group ahead of Italy, the squad comes into the tournament with rhythm and belief.
Star Players
Stina Blackstenius
There is no shortage of firepower for the Swedish lineup. Stina Blackstenius scored the winner in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final for Arsenal despite a campaign with limited minutes, and has taken that momentum into the build-up to this tournament. The striker scored a hattrick versus Denmark in the Nations League in June, grabbing an assist in the process.
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd
But the player generating the most buzz is Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. Fresh off a treble-winning season with Chelsea, the winger was named Sweden’s Player of the Year for 2024–25. Her fearless, high-tempo dribbling makes her a nightmare for defenders – “a full-back’s worst nightmare”, in the words of former captain Magdalena Eriksson
Fridolina Rolfö
Fridolina Rolfö remains a key figure at FC Barcelona, and will travel with the squad despite picking up a nasty ankle injury against Denmark at the start of June. There were initial fears that the Swedish international had sustained a fracture to her lower leg, but the doctor ruled otherwise – meaning the 31-year-old could still have an important role to play should she get fit in time to leave a mark on the tournament.
Coach
Peter Gerhardsson
This summer marks the end of an era. After nearly eight years at the helm, Peter Gerhardsson will lead Sweden into his final tournament before handing the reins to former Australia boss Tony Gustavsson. Gerhardsson’s legacy is impressive, having picked up two World Cup bronze medals (2019, 2023) and an Olympic silver (Tokyo 2021), though he still hasn’t cleared the final hurdle.
Known for his tactical intelligence and steady leadership, the 64-year-old has brought consistency and identity to Sweden’s women’s team. His players will want to send him off with one last deep run, and maybe even something shiny.
FIFA Ranking: 6
Fixtures:
July 4, 2025: vs Denmark – Stade de Geneve, Geneva, 6 pm
July 8, 2025: vs Poland – Allmend Stadion, Lucerne, 9 pm
July 12, 2025: vs Germany – Letzigrund Stadion, Zurich, 9 pm