Everything you need to know about England’s quarter-final opponents Sweden

Published Jul 6, 2018

England take on Sweden in Samara on Saturday afternoon for a place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Here, Press Association Sport details everything you need to know about the Scandinavians.

World Cup record

Striker Henrik Larsson (left) played in three World Cups with Sweden, reaching the semi-finals in 1994. — Striker Henrik Larsson, left, played in three World Cups with Sweden, reaching the semi-finals in 1994 (AP)

Former greats

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Sweden's all-time record goalscorer. — Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Sweden’s all-time record goalscorer (John Walton/PA)

Current dangermen

England will need to keep a close eye on Sweden dangerman Emil Forsberg (right). — England will need to keep a close eye on Sweden dangerman Emil Forsberg, right (AP)

Manager

Sweden head coach Janne Andersson, 55, has built Sweden’s progress around a strong team ethic rather than any one star individual as the players look to emerge from Ibrahimovic’s shadow. In 2015, Andersson took IFK Norrkoping to an unexpected Swedish top-flight title and was handed the national team job following Euro 2016, where the team finished bottom of their group. Sweden were second behind France in their World Cup qualifying group, beating Les Bleus in Solna to help stay ahead of Holland. Again upsetting the odds, Sweden edged out Italy 1-0 over the two-legged play-off to secure their place in Russia.

World Cup 2018 so far

Sweden upset the form book to beat Switzerland 1-0 and reach the World Cup quarter-finals. — Sweden upset the form book to beat Switzerland 1-0 and reach the World Cup quarter-finals (AP)

Previous meetings with England

David Beckham (left) captained England against Sweden when they met in the 2006 World Cup. — David Beckham, left, captained England against Sweden when they met in the 2006 World Cup (Martin Rickett/PA)

Geography

Sweden’s population in 2018, as estimated by the United Nations, stands at 9,983,334.

A nation famous for…

Swedish band ABBA topped the charts all over the world (PA Images) — Swedish band ABBA topped the charts all over the world (PA)