In a surprising move, Anthony Elanga, one of Sweden's most promising attacking talents, will begin today's important Group F match against the Netherlands on the bench. This decision comes after Sweden's impressive 5-1 victory over Tunisia in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team's attacking prowess was on full display.

Coach Graham Potter has chosen to stick with the same front line that delivered such a dominant performance against Tunisia, featuring Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak. Their successful partnership in the first match has led Potter to keep faith in the players who contributed to one of the tournament's most convincing wins.

Elanga, who plays for Newcastle United, made a brief appearance as a late substitute in the match against Tunisia, entering the game in the 90th minute. With the outcome already decided, this substitution was primarily a strategic move to manage player minutes while allowing Elanga to gain some experience on the pitch.

Despite starting on the bench today, Elanga remains a viable option for Sweden. The match against the Netherlands is expected to be significantly more challenging than their previous encounter. Should the Gyökeres-Isak duo struggle to penetrate the Dutch defense, Elanga could be called upon in the second half to provide a much-needed spark.

As the match unfolds, fans will be keen to see if Elanga's skills will be utilized in this critical fixture, which could have significant implications for Sweden's progress in the tournament.