Sweden Announces 2026 World Cup Squad Without Erik Kahl, Thai-Swedish Left-back
Sweden announced its 26-player World Cup squad for 2026 on May 12, excluding Thai-Swedish left-back Erik Kahl despite his recent success helping Aarhus GF win Denmark's championship. The snub may push Kahl to choose to represent Thailand instead, with negotiations reportedly already 90 percent complete according to the Football Association of Thailand president.
Sweden has unveiled its 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Thai-Swedish left-back Erik Kahl is notably absent from the squad. His omission could prompt the player to reconsider pledging his international allegiance to Thailand's national team. Sweden has qualified as one of Europe's representatives for the final tournament in 2026, which will be hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. On May 12, Sweden officially released its 26-player World Cup squad, and notably, Erik Kahl, the Thai-Swedish left-back, was not included despite delivering outstanding performances that helped Aarhus GF win Denmark's top-flight championship for the first time in 40 years. This exclusion from the World Cup may prompt Erik Kahl to make the decision to play for Thailand's national team instead. Previously, Nualphran Lamsam, the president of the Football Association of Thailand, stated that negotiations with Kahl had progressed over 90 percent.