Official: First BVB star delighted by World Cup call-up | OneFootball

The first BVB professional can officially celebrate his participation in the World Cup. At the same time, the surprising omission of a fellow Bundesliga player is causing heated debate.

Borussia Dortmund can celebrate its first official World Cup participant: Daniel Svensson has been nominated by Sweden head coach Graham Potter for the World Cup this summer. While the 24-year-old has secured his ticket to the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the absence of another Bundesliga professional from Sweden’s squad is causing heated debate.

Svensson, who initially joined BVB on loan in February 2025 and has since become a permanent part of Niko Kovac’s squad, played his way into the national team spotlight with consistently strong performances. The left wing-back was only missing from Dortmund’s squad on Matchday 33 against Eintracht Frankfurt. So far, he has recorded two goals and two assists in the Bundesliga.

Alongside Svensson, three other Germany-based professionals made Sweden’s World Cup squad: Eric Smith (FC St. Pauli), Matthias Svanberg (VfL Wolfsburg), and Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel). Surprisingly, however, Hugo Larsson of Eintracht Frankfurt was left out.

Sweden’s World Cup squad official: BVB star Svensson has reason to celebrate

Larsson’s omission in particular is drawing criticism. Since his move from Malmö FF to Eintracht in the summer of 2023, the midfielder had long been regarded as one of Sweden’s biggest talents. Although he also played regularly this season, inconsistent performances and defensive lapses apparently cost him a place in the final squad.

Photo: IMAGO

At Eintracht Frankfurt, however, the decision has been met with complete disbelief. “From a sporting perspective, this decision is simply impossible to explain,” sporting director Markus Krösche said bluntly. From the club’s point of view, the midfielder’s development in particular clearly supported a World Cup call-up.

Krösche doubled down: “Hugo has developed at the highest level over the past few years, consistently delivered strong performances, and is one of the absolute key players in our team.” The Frankfurt official also stressed: “34 competitive appearances this season speak for themselves.” Sweden begin their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on June 15. The team coached by Graham Potter will then also face the Netherlands and Japan in Group F.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.