World Cup Football
Football World Cup > Countries > Sweden
Sweden
Sweden's 11th participation at the World Cup was in Germany 2006. Previous appearances were in 1934, 1938, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 2002.
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The first qualifying match in World Cup history was played between Sweden and Estonia (6:2) on 11 June 1933.
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Sewden's best performance was Runners-up in 1958. They reached the final on home soil, after dismissing the defending champions Germany in the semi-final. But their opponents in the final proved superior as Brazil defeated the Scandinavian home side 5-2.
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Twenty years earlier the Swedes had claimed fourth place in the 1938 FIFA World Cup. After their success in 1958, Sweden failed to qualify for the next two tournaments. In 1970 their campaign ended in the first round, in 1974 they went one round further. In 1978 they returned home without a win.
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Swedish football re-ignited in the 1990s, culminating in third place in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
