Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Thursday, 04 June 2026, 22:57 / Updated on Thursday, 04 June 2026 22:57
The national football teams of Sweden and Iran played their last warm-up matches before the start of this year's World Cup, recording a draw and a win respectively. Sweden drew 2-2 at home with Greece, while Iran finished victorious against Mali 2-0.
The Greeks opened the scoring in the tenth minute of the game, through the goal of Konstantinos Tsimikas, the only success of the first half.
In the second half, the Swedes managed to reverse the result thanks to goals scored by Viktor Gyökeres in the 53rd minute and Gustaf Nilsson in the 69th minute.
However, the celebratory atmosphere in Solna was spoiled in the fifth minute of extra time by Giorgos Masouras, who, with his goal, prevented the host team from finishing their preparations for the World Cup victoriously.
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At the World Cup, Sweden is part of Group F, along with Tunisia, the Netherlands and Japan.
Group F program
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June 14, 23:00 » Netherlands – Japan
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June 15, 5:00 a.m. » Sweden – Tunisia
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June 20, 20:00 » Netherlands – Sweden
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June 20, 7:00 a.m. » Tunisia – Japan
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June 26, 2:00 a.m. » Japan – Sweden
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June 25, 2:00 a.m. » Tunisia – Netherlands
Iran's morale is high ahead of a problematic World Cup
Also on Thursday evening, the representative from Iran defeated Mali 2-0 in Antalya, finishing with victory the preparations for the final tournament where their participation was uncertain for a long time.
The Asian side took the lead in the 12th minute when Saeid Ezatolahi opened the scoring against the Africans.
The goal that decided the final score of the match came in the tenth minute of the second half through the experienced Ramin Rezaeian.
Group G program
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June 15, 22:00 » Belgium – Egypt
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June 16, 4:00 am » Iran – New Zealand
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June 21, 22:00 » Belgium – Iran
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June 22, 4:00 am » New Zealand – Egypt
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June 27, 6:00 a.m. » Egypt – Iran
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June 27, 6:00 am » New Zealand – Belgium
