Sweden’s upcoming international friendly against Algeria is being viewed as a crucial step in the team’s development, according to Stefan Pettersson, manager of the Swedish men’s national team and former international striker.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with AfricaFootUnited, Pettersson described the North African side as a “very interesting opponent” ahead of their June 10 meeting at Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena.
Pettersson explained that the decision to schedule a fixture against Algeria was driven by the vision of head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, who has been tasked with reshaping the squad over the past 15 months.
“Finding the right opponent for a friendly isn’t simple. Many factors are at play,” Pettersson said. “Coach Tomasson wanted a team that could really test us tactically and physically ahead of World Cup qualifiers, and Algeria was a logical choice. They’re competitive, technically sound, and coached by someone with strong European football experience.”
That coach is Vladimir Petković, formerly in charge of the Swiss national team. Pettersson was full of praise for the Bosnian-Swiss tactician, who has quickly made his mark on the Algerian side.
“Petković is a seasoned coach with a solid record,” Pettersson noted. “His early results with Algeria are quite promising given the short time he’s been working with the team.”
With the match being held in Stockholm, Pettersson expects strong public interest, especially from Sweden’s Algerian diaspora. “We hope the crowd will be big and loud.
This match is important—not just as our final test before competitive games, but also because it holds meaning for fans of Algerian heritage living here and across Europe. Algeria will be warmly welcomed,” he said.
Sweden, who are also set to face Hungary away on June 6, see these fixtures as a dual-purpose tune-up for both the Nations League and the upcoming qualification rounds for Euro 2028 and the 2026 World Cup.
“This is about more than just the result. It’s a chance to evaluate how well our playing style holds up against different types of opponents,” Pettersson explained. “We’re building chemistry, confidence, and cohesion.”
As Sweden continues a rebuilding process marked by a growing core of younger talent, the federation’s ambitions remain high. “Our short- and medium-term target is qualification for major tournaments, particularly the 2026 World Cup,” he said. “We believe in this new generation and trust that they will bring sustained success with the right development.”
Facing Algeria presents a unique challenge, especially tactically. While many of their players ply their trade in Europe, the Algerian style remains distinct, offering Sweden a different kind of test.
“Algeria may be structured with European influences, but stylistically they’re still different. This gives our players a chance to adapt under pressure in unfamiliar scenarios,” Pettersson said.
Although Sweden defeated Algeria in a friendly in Malmö in 2022, Pettersson downplayed any psychological advantage. “That match is in the past. Our players are professionals—they focus on the next challenge, not past results.”
When asked about Algeria’s key figures, the Swedish boss singled out a few standout names. “Everyone knows Riyad Mahrez, of course. But as a former forward myself, I’ve been watching Amoura closely. He’s making a name for himself in the Bundesliga and is a real threat.”
Pettersson closed the interview with a message to both Swedish and Algerian supporters. “We want this to be a celebration of football. Come out and support your team. We’ll do everything we can to make it a memorable evening for everyone involved.”
He concluded by reaffirming the importance of this match as a platform for Sweden to showcase their readiness for the road ahead. “We want to deliver a strong performance, test ourselves against a quality opponent, and carry that momentum into World Cup qualifying.”
