France

Held in France, the world cup in 1938 was again won by Italy. The Sweden national football team’s first match was scheduled to be against Austria. However as Austria and Germany united, with many Austrian players joining the German national side, the team withdrew, giving Sweden a path to the quarter-final. The team must have been fresh as they went on to beat Cuba 8-0.  In the semi-final the team came up against Hungary and were outclassed. A 5-1 defeat put them into the third place play-off, which they also lost to Brazil.

Brazil 

In 1950 the world cup was staged by Brazil. The tournament was won by Uruguay for a second time, after they defeated the hosts in the final. Groups were brought in for the 1950 competition, and the Sweden national football team were drawn alongside Italy, Paraguay and India. After India withdrew, the side beat Italy and drew with Paraguay to top the group. In the final group stage, the team lost to Brazil 7-1 and Uruguay 3-2. They did manage to beat Spain 3-1 to finish third.

Sweden

Sweden were the hosts of the world cup in 1958. The tournament was won by Brazil, and this still represents the only time a European world cup has not been won by a European side. Sweden opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Mexico and a 2-1 win over Hungary. A 0-0 with Wales in the final group game was enough to put them top. In the quarter-final the side beat the Soviet Union 2-0 to move onto West Germany in the semi-final. Two goals in the last 10 minutes gave Sweden a 3-1 win, and put them into the world cup final. Despite taking the lead, a Pele inspired Brazil beat them 5-2.

Mexico

It was 12 years before the Sweden national football team returned to the world cup. Held in Mexico it was Brazil who claimed their third title. It proved to be an unhappy tournament for Sweden as they missed out on qualification on goal difference. After losing 1-0 to Italy in their first game, the side drew with Israel and beat Uruguay, to finish third and were eliminated.

West Germany

West Germany hosted and won the world cup in 1974. The Sweden national football team opened their tournament with two draws against Bulgaria and the Netherlands. A 3-0 win over Uruguay in the last group game was enough to see them through in second place. In the second group phase, losses to Poland and West Germany eliminated the team. A final game win over Yugoslavia made sure the side didn’t finish bottom.

Argentina

Similar to 1974, it was the hosts who won the 1978 world cup. Argentina this time, who claimed their first title. Things started well for the Sweden national football team, as they managed a 1-1 draw with Brazil. Unfortunately they followed this up with successive 1-0 defeats to both Austria and Spain. The side finished bottom of the group with just one point.

Italy

After another 12 year absence the Sweden national football team returned in 1990. Held in Italy it was West Germany who won to claim their third title. If things didn’t go to plan in 1978, they got worse in 1990. Again playing Brazil in the opening game, the side lost 2-1. Another 2-1 defeat followed in the second game as they lost to Scotland. In the final group match with Costa Rica, the side lost for a third time and once again the score was 2-1. Bottom of the group, no points, and elimination.

United States

In 1994 the world cup went to the United States. Brazil made history, as they became the first team to win four titles, and the first to win a final on penalties. Once again the Sweden national football team were in a group with Brazil, and managed to draw with the eventual champions in the final game. A draw with Cameroon and a 3-1 win over Russia preceded this, to qualify the side in second place. Sweden unexpectedly played Saudi Arabia in the last 16 and came through 3-1. In the quarter-final the team played Romania, and after 90 minutes the score was locked at 1-1. A further goal each in extra-time took the game to penalties, where Sweden prevailed 5-4. Brazil were once again the opponents in the semi-final, where an 80th minute goal proved the difference in a 1-0 defeat. A comfortable 4-0 win over Bulgaria in the third place play-off ensured the tournament ended on a positive note.

Japan and South Korea

The world cup visited Asia for the first time in 2002. Japan and South Korea were the hosts, as Brazil claimed a record fifth title. After missing out in 1998 the Sweden national football team returned to a tough group. It proved to be a tight contest, as draws with England and Argentina sandwiched a win over Nigeria. Five points was enough for the team to top the group and progress to the next round. In the last 16 Sweden faced surprise package Senegal. A 2-1 after extra-time defeat was a disappointing end to a promising tournament.

Germany

In 2006 the world cup returned to Europe, as Germany were the hosts. Italy claimed their fourth title after they beat France in the final. Despite a disappointing start to the campaign the Sweden national football team rallied to qualify from the opening group. A draw with Trinidad and Tobago was followed by a 1-0 win over Paraguay and a 2-2 with England. Second place in the group put them into a tough last 16 game with hosts Germany. Two first half goals saw the German’s progress 2-0, and Sweden were on their way home.

Russia

The Sweden national football team have been drawn in Group A alongside the Netherlands, France, Bulgaria, Belarus, and Luxembourg.