A group of men in blue-and-yellow dresses, blonde braided wigs and knee-high socks become some of the most photographed fans outside of Texas Live on Wednesday.
The outfits drew smiles, hugs and requests for selfies from game spectators who hailed from several different nations.
For brothers Anders and Christer Helgesson, the attention was all part of the trip.
“We just love here,” Anders Helgesson said of Dallas and its residents. “The people are really, really nice.”
The group, which includes family members from Stockholm and Falkenberg, has been following Sweden throughout the World Cup, traveling from Monterrey, Mexico, for the team’s opener against Tunisia to Houston for the match against the Netherlands before arriving in Arlington for Sweden’s final group-stage game against Japan.
Their colorful outfits are inspired by traditional Swedish Midsummer celebrations, one of Sweden’s most cherished holidays, held each June around the summer solstice with family gatherings, flower crowns, dancing, and festive attire. The holiday is considered nearly as important in Sweden as Christmas and is often associated with joy, community and the beginning of summer, according to the brothers.
“This is a Swedish costume dress for celebrating the summertime,” Anders Helgesson said. “We have it when we have summertime, and we have it when it’s game day and good times.”
The group hoped the outfits would bring the Sweden team some luck against Japan.
“Today, we have it because we will celebrate when we win against Japan,” Anders said.
The group said they have enjoyed nearly everything about North Texas, especially the hospitality and the food.
“The people,” Ola Hanson said when asked what he liked most about Dallas. “Really, really nice people.”
“The food is great,” Kristen Nilson said. “I try everything, and is very good.”
Their next stop was already planned: a trip to Texas barbecue staple Terry Black’s Barbecue.
They also joked about one thing that has surprised them about Texas.
“We have a problem with Dallas,” Anders Helgesson said, “It’s very big. Everything is very big.”
The group of friends and family said they will follow Sweden to every match until they are out of the World Cup, Christer said.