Why you should watch every team at the 2018 World Cup

Sweden

The Scandinavians, apparently freed from the burden of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, eliminated both the Netherlands and Italy in qualifying. They finished second in Group A and beat out the Dutch on goal differential, and then defeated Italy in a two-leg playoff a month later. It was a breakthrough for the Swedes, who qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 2006.

In danger of being left behind in the northern European region by Denmark and Iceland, Sweden needed to show they could keep up on the world stage without the star power of Zlatan (who retired from international duty after the 2016 Euros). Singlehandedly knocking out two UEFA fixtures was a good way to do it.

They accomplished such a feat by committee, with a far less individualistic approach than they’ve used in the past. Forwards Ola Toivonen, of Ligue 1 club Toulouse, and Marcus Berg, who plys his trade in Abu Dhabi for Al Ain, led their deep-block 4-4-2 in the second leg against Italy, and they project to feature heavily come July. Veterans like 32-year-old captain Andreas Granqvist, a center-back that plays for FC Krasnodar in Russia, join a roster with plenty of younger talent, highlighted by 23-year-old Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof.

Keep an eye on Seattle Sounders midfielder Gustav Svensson, who proved to be a crucial sub in that second leg against Italy, and fellow MLS-based players Anton Tinnerholm, Magnus Eriksson and Samuel Armenteros. All four have been called in recently, and at least a couple can be expected in Russia.

Manager Janne Andersson faces a tough task in the group stage, having to face Mexico, Germany and South Korea in Group F, but it’s a chance to prove Sweden’s worthiness as a replacement for the legendary stalwarts that missed out.