Dejan Kulusevski has been ruled out of the World Cup after failing to recover from a serious knee injury sustained over 12 months ago. The Tottenham midfielder was omitted from Sweden's 26-man squad announced by head coach Graham Potter, ending his hopes of representing his country at the tournament in the United States.
Kulusevski suffered the initial injury in May 2025 during Spurs' 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The setback triggered a lengthy rehabilitation process that included two separate surgeries. Despite his determination to return in time for the World Cup, the 26-year-old has not completed a full return to training at Hotspur Way and remains unavailable for competitive action this season.
De Zerbi's Doubts Prove Justified
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi had already expressed skepticism about Kulusevski's World Cup prospects, citing the lack of match fitness as the critical factor. "For me, it's difficult to understand how he can play at the World Cup if he didn't play any games this season," De Zerbi stated. The midfielder's exclusion validates the Italian coach's assessment and represents a significant blow to both player and club during a pivotal campaign.
Sweden will rely on alternative attacking options in Group F. Viktor Gyokeres from Arsenal and Alexander Isak from Liverpool headline the squad's Premier League contingent, providing the creative and finishing quality Potter demands. Fellow Tottenham prospect Lucas Bergvall earned a place in the travelling party, offering some consolation for the north London club.
Potter's squad features a mix of experience and dynamism, with defenders including Aston Villa's Victor Lindelof and attacking talent from Newcastle, Leeds, and Brighton. Sweden face Tunisia on June 15 in their opening fixture, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Japan. Without Kulusevski's creativity and technical quality, the Swedes will need their other stars to perform at the highest level to progress from their challenging group.
