Sweden. Gold and blue. The perennial "almost" of world football. If you've ever watched a major tournament, you know the drill. They show up, look absolutely indestructible for four games, and then somehow end up with another bronze medal. Honestly, it’s become a bit of a running joke in the pubs of Stockholm, but the reality is way more complex than just "bad luck."
The Swedish women's football team is currently sitting at a weird crossroads. It’s early 2026, and the dust is still settling from a rollercoaster 2025. We saw them crush Germany 4-1 at the Euros—a game where Stina Blackstenius looked like she was playing against toddlers—only to see the narrative shift again during a rocky Nations League run. People keep asking: are they still elite, or are they just hanging on by their fingernails?
The Peter Gerhardsson Era: Stability or Stagnation?
Peter Gerhardsson has been in charge since 2017. That’s a lifetime in international football. He’s the guy who took over from the legendary Pia Sundhage and basically told the team to stop worrying so much about "the system" and start playing with more freedom. It worked. For a while.
Under his watch, the Swedish women's football team bagged two World Cup bronzes (2019, 2023) and an Olympic silver in Tokyo. But here's the thing: fans are getting restless. In late 2025, Sweden had a string of results that made everyone tilt their heads. A 2-2 draw against France in the Nations League showed they can still bang with the big girls, but losing 4-0 to Spain earlier that year felt like a cold shower.
Spain is playing 22nd-century football. Sweden sometimes feels like they're still perfected 20th-century physical dominance. Gerhardsson is 66 now. There’s constant chatter about whether a younger, more tactically "modern" coach is needed to bridge that gap between bronze and gold.
The Fridolina Rolfö Problem
You cannot talk about this team without talking about Fridolina Rolfö. She’s the engine. The superstar. The one who makes Barcelona look like a cheat code. But her 2025 was a nightmare.
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That foot injury she picked up against Denmark in June 2025? It wasn't just a "knock." It sent shockwaves through the squad. There was a whole saga with Barcelona—rumors that the club was livid she was rushing her recovery for the Euros. It got so messy that there were reports of contract termination talks. For a player of her caliber, that’s insane.
When Rolfö is at 100%, Sweden can beat anyone. When she’s hobbling or sidelined, the Swedish women's football team lacks that "X-factor" on the wing. They become predictable. You can see the frustration on Kosovare Asllani’s face when the service isn't there. Asllani is the captain, the heart, but she can't do it all herself at 36.
Who is Actually Scoring the Goals?
Stina Blackstenius. That’s the answer.
If you look at the stats from the 2025/2026 season so far, Blackstenius is carrying a massive load. For Arsenal, she's been clinical, and for Sweden, she's basically the only reason they stayed competitive in the Euro group stages. She scored that massive goal against Germany in the 4-1 rout.
But look behind her. Where’s the next generation?
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- Lina Hurtig: Always reliable, but often a substitute.
- Johanna Rytting Kaneryd: Fast as lightning, but the final ball can be hit or miss.
- Rosa Kafaji: The young hope. She’s the one everyone is pinning their future on.
The reliance on the "Old Guard" is real. Caroline Seger finally stepped away after 240 caps—a number that feels fake, it’s so high—and the midfield hasn't quite felt the same since. Filippa Angeldahl is trying to fill those boots, but Seger’s "manager on the pitch" vibe is impossible to replicate.
Why the World Ranking is Deceiving
As of the last update, the Swedish women's football team is ranked 5th in the world. On paper, that’s great. Top five!
But rankings are a lagging indicator. They reflect the bronze medals of the past more than the struggles of the present. While Sweden is 5th, teams like Brazil and Japan are breathing down their necks with much more dynamic, technical styles of play.
Sweden's strength has always been set pieces and physical conditioning. They are tall. They are strong. They will outwork you for 90 minutes. But in 2026, every top team is fit. The "fitness gap" is gone. Now, it's about who can keep the ball under pressure, and that’s where Sweden has looked shaky. Their passing accuracy in recent high-stakes games has hovered around 75%. For a top-five team, that’s just not good enough.
The 2026 Outlook: Olympics and Beyond
Right now, the focus is shifting. We just saw the roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan/Cortina—but wait, that’s the hockey team. People often get confused because Sweden is so dominant in both. For the football side, the eyes are on the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
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The Nations League performance in late 2025 (that 1-1 draw with Slovenia was a stinker) means they have a harder path forward. They aren't the undisputed queens of Scandinavia anymore either. Denmark and Norway have closed the gap significantly.
What most people get wrong is thinking Sweden is "failing." They aren't. They’re just in a transition period that every great dynasty goes through. You can't lose a leader like Seger and have a peak Rolfö injured without feeling the burn.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the Swedish women's football team this year, keep your eyes on these specific developments:
- The Kafaji Integration: Watch how much game time Rosa Kafaji gets. If Gerhardsson keeps her on the bench in favor of veterans, it’s a sign he’s coaching for his job, not for the future.
- Defensive Rotations: Magdalena Eriksson is still world-class, but the center-back depth is thin. Any injury to "Magda" and the house of cards starts to wobble.
- The Goalkeeper Battle: Zecira Musovic vs. Jennifer Falk. Musovic was the hero of the 2023 World Cup, but Falk has been better for her club (Häcken). This rivalry is actually healthy—it's the one position where Sweden is truly spoiled for choice.
- Tactical Shifts: Look for whether they move away from the traditional 4-3-3 to something that protects their aging midfield more, like a 3-5-2.
The Swedish women's football team isn't going anywhere. They’ll likely be in the quarter-finals of the next big tournament because that’s just what they do. But to actually win the whole thing? They need to stop relying on being the "hardest workers" and start becoming the smartest team on the ball. It’s a tall order, but if any culture can figure out a collective solution, it’s the Swedes.