What time does Sweden vs Romania kick off and where is it being played?
Sweden and Romania open their UEFA Nations League B, Group Four campaign against each other on Friday, and if you’re trying to plan around it, the basics are simple.
When and where
- Kickoff: 7:45pm on Friday
- Venue: Strawberry Arena, in Sweden
Sweden are the host nation for this opener, which is why the match is being played on their home ground rather than in Romania.
Why this match matters early in the group
This is the first game of the Group Four campaign for both teams, so there’s no earlier form within this Nations League cycle to draw on — just how each side arrives coming off their last stretch of matches. Sweden are trying to bounce back from a rough 2026 World Cup qualifying run, while Romania come in unbeaten in their last three games.
One thing to double-check
Kickoff times for international fixtures can occasionally shift for broadcast or logistical reasons, so if you’re planning to watch, it’s worth confirming the 7:45pm start against the latest listing closer to Friday.
Which key players will Sweden be missing against Romania due to injury?
Sweden go into their Nations League B opener against Romania with a shorter squad list than they’d like, and it’s worth knowing who’s actually unavailable versus who’s just a question mark.
Confirmed out
Anthony Elanga will not play. The winger is dealing with a knee injury and is unavailable for the match against Romania.
Doubtful
Three more names are described as injury concerns rather than confirmed absences:
- 👥 Gustaf Lagerbielke — defender
- 👥 Isak Hien — defender
- 👥 Jacob Widell Zetterstrom — goalkeeper
That’s two defenders and the goalkeeper all carrying fitness question marks at once, which is a notable amount of uncertainty across the back line heading into Friday.
What it means for the lineup
Losing a winger like Elanga changes Sweden’s attacking options, and if any combination of the three doubtful players also sit out, that would affect both the backline and who starts in goal. The exact lineup wasn’t locked in as of the available reporting, so the safest approach is to check the confirmed starting XI once it’s published closer to kickoff.
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Related reading
- What are Germany’s and the Netherlands’ remaining Nations League fixtures after their Sept. 24 match?
- What time does Georgia vs Northern Ireland kick off and where can I watch it live?; How does promotion and relegation work in Georgia and Northern Ireland’s Nations League group with Ukraine and Hungary?; How do Georgia’s attacking output and Northern Ireland’s recent defensive record compare heading into this match?
- What changed with the officiating for DR Congo vs Equatorial Guinea after CAF reversed its earlier decision?
- What changed for Germany and the Netherlands going into this Nations League opener under their new managers?
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