SOLNA, SWEDEN – JUNE 04: Viktor Gyokeres of Sweden looks on during the international friendly match between Sweden and Greece at Strawberry Arena on June 04, 2026 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)
Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images
The passion for soccer goes far beyond the dazzling stars who have defined the last two decades — Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. At least, that’s true for those who follow Sweden.
“Viktor Gyökeres is one of the great players in the world,” said Travis White, who attended Sweden’s open training session on Tuesday at Toyota Stadium. FC Dallas’ facility is serving as Sweden’s base camp for the World Cup.
Gyökeres, 28, represents a new generation ready to take over the marquee from the icons who have dominated global soccer for more than 20 years.
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“He’s phenomenal — fast, physically strong, and ruthless in front of goal,” White said. He plans to attend Sweden’s match against Japan on July 25 at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium).
White wasn’t alone in his admiration. Many fans in Frisco wore Arsenal jerseys with the No. 14 on the back — Gyökeres’ number.
The devotion ran so deep that one child held up a handmade sign with photos of the Swedish striker that read: “Can I have your autograph or jersey? I came just for you. Make my dream come true.”
The admiration for Gyökeres extends beyond the fans. His teammates also share his dream of pushing Sweden deep into the World Cup.
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“Viktor is extremely important for us. We have to maximize everything he brings,” said FC Dallas defender Herman Johansson, who plays for Sweden and spoke after Tuesday’s practice.
Gyökeres had a productive season, scoring 14 goals in the Premier League, five more in the Champions League and a starring role in Arsenal’s run to the European final, where they fell to Paris Saint-Germain.
He also scored the 88th‑minute winner that sent Sweden to the World Cup in a dramatic playoff victory over Poland.
His Premier League success has built for him a growing American fan base.
The Premier League’s 2025–26 opening weekend averaged 850,000 viewers in the U.S. — an all‑time high for NBC Sports, which holds the English‑language rights.
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“I fell in love with Arsenal watching Gyökeres play,” said René Lynch, a 41‑year‑old who attended Sweden’s practice with his 11‑year‑old son. “For me, this is a dream come true — seeing my favorite player. It’s a lifetime memory, especially because I got to share it with my son.”
Gyökeres’ career has been a steady climb built on production, not hype.
After developing at IF Brommapojkarna, he moved to Brighton in 2018, where minutes were limited but the learning curve was steep.
That rise paved the way for his move to Sporting CP, where he exploded into a top‑tier European striker.
His market value followed the same trajectory. When he joined Sporting, Gyökeres’ Transfermarkt value sat around $13 million-$16 million.
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One dominant season later — fueled by goals, assists, and highlight‑reel performances — his valuation surged past $45 million.
By the time Arsenal entered the picture, his value had climbed into the $65 million–$75 million range, placing him among the most expensive Swedish players ever tracked.
Today, Gyökeres ranks among the highest‑valued forwards in Europe, with Transfermarkt listing him near the top of its global charts.
“Viktor is one of our key players. He has very good qualities, and he’s going to be very, very important for us in the way we play,” Swedish defender Isak Hien said. “Hopefully we can use him to his fullest and get him playing to his strengths.”
Sweden’s roster is made up of players who compete in the best leagues in the world. Despite its talent, they reached the 2026 World Cup the hard way.
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The team failed to win a single match in the European qualifying group stage but advanced to the UEFA playoffs thanks to its Nations League performance.
Sweden beat Ukraine 3–1 in the semifinal and then edged Poland 3–2 in the final — with Gyökeres delivering the decisive blow.
“Gyökeres is an impressive player,” said Omar Herrera, a 51‑year‑old Dallas resident who watched Tuesday’s open practice. “Not many people talk about him, but I think this World Cup will change that.”
Sweden was drawn into Group F, alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
They open the tournament June 14 against Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, then face the Netherlands on June 20 in Houston and Japan on June 25 in Arlington.
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Sweden won’t walk their World Cup journey alone.
According to the latest U.S. Census estimates, Texas is home to 141,237 residents of Swedish ancestry. Tarrant, Dallas and Collin counties rank among the top five in Texas, with nearly 30,000 Swedish‑origin residents combined.
“People may have low expectations of us because of how we qualified,” Hien said. “But I think we can really shock this World Cup. In the end, it all comes down to us.”
And to Gyökeres’ rising force.