Tough call. It could be bad for the Sweden team spirit considering how they overperformed during qualification. However, their attack is so enemic (they could easily be wiped out in the group without scoring a single goal in the 3 matches), as shown by their friendlies in March, so they could use an on-form (and uninjured) Zlatan, Sweden's manager does not want him, but the Swedish FA have applied to remove a possible betting association prohibition against him for advertising for a betting company, and that may be determinative. So, there is pressure at the highest levels on the manger to include him if he can. He is a jerk, but, like CR7, a very talented jerk. Any Swedes here with a more realistic grasp of the present situation?
The Swedish coach (Janne Andersson) is not gonna do anything if not Zlatan tell him he wanna play for the national team again. I dont think Janne have no options if Zlatan call him. And like you said, the Swedish FA want Zlatan. Here in Sweden its like 50 50.
Zlatan is rested...he did not play much this year so he would arrive at the world cup very fresh and a fresh motivated Zlatan is something many teams would like to have at such event. But i think he already got a second option and if not as a player he will work on the world cup probably on tv or in a staff.
He already said he has interest in the Jimmy Kimmel show so Idk how this will go. Given that this is the group of death, it be kinda crazy for them not to try to get him back.
If they can convince him to play with the team, absolutely. They need all the firepower they can get.
According to this, it is now a definite "no". However, with Zlatan.... https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43910786
To not play much doesn't make a professional player fresh, quite the contrary. I would like to see him at the World Cup, it will be fun. But I'm not sure Sweden will be a better team with Zlatan, probably less predictable at least. He's also always able to score even totally exhausted. A younger player who actually started all season for his club could be the better option despite less talent, though.
I know I am late.. I haven't visited the site in years. As a Sweden fan, I do agree with the squad selection. Once Svensson, Ljungberg, Larsson, Kallstrom, etc retired, the goal was to get the ball to Zlatan and he will figure it out. Now, the team actually plays as a team. While they did get lucky in qualifying (i.e. France, Italy for both legs), the team performed well considering the youth and inexperience. Once the team gels and gets experience, they can be solid qualifiers again.
With Zlatan out, Sweden play better as a team. That's because the players play for each other. With that said, Sweden are a better team when Zlatan plays. That's because his qualities are undoubted. Even if Zlatan doesn't score or provide an assist, his presence alone makes the difference for Sweden. So he raises Sweden to a different level, but that requires Sweden build their game completely around Zlatan. When he plays it means they, as a team, play for him as opposed for each other. In my view Sweden are tough side without him. They're disciplined, hardworking, tactically acute, and they still have quality players who can produce goals, either out of sheer determination or out of a respectable degree of technical acumen. They know they can't rely on magic to bail them out, like they could with Zlatan, so they really have to work for each other to achieve the results they need.
I just don't think Zlatan can do anything for Sweden now. They have quality players. He is 36 years old and not playing top-level football
Korea, Mexico and Germany would be very happy if Zlatan joins the Swedish squad, even right away. That would definitely neutralize chemistry and team spirit Sweden has built over time.