After Zlatan — Isak's Moment
Jon Dahl Tomasson named Sweden's World Cup squad on May 22, and the name that leads every conversation is Alexander Isak. At 26, coming off two elite Premier League seasons at Newcastle United, Isak is the player Sweden has been building toward since it became clear that the Zlatan Ibrahimović era was genuinely ending. He is not Zlatan — nobody is, and attempting that comparison is unfair to both players — but he gives Sweden something they haven't had for years: a world-class centre-forward who can score from positions and moments that change a tournament.
His hold-up play, his finishing, his ability to create chances from nothing in tight spaces — all of it is established at Premier League level. Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham) provides the creativity from the right side. Sweden's defensive organization, always strong under Tomasson, gives them a foundation to work from. Group F with the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia is winnable.
Group F — The Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia
Netherlands are the group favorites but Japan eliminated Germany and Spain in 2022. Sweden and Tunisia can take points from anyone in this group. If Sweden advance — and they should — the bracket opens favorably in the Round of 32. Isak vs the Netherlands defense on matchday one will be the story of the group's opening round.