Gyokeres reflects on World Cup exit, praises Sweden fans and targets
Short overview
Viktor Gyokeres discusses Sweden's Round of 32 loss to France at the 2022 World Cup, his pride in the tournament experience, and his belief that Sweden can become a top team by 2030.
Viktor Gyokeres may have left the FIFA World Cup with a bitter taste, but the Swedish striker will cherish the memories of his first appearance on football's biggest stage. The 28-year-old scored a goal and provided two assists in Sweden's 5-1 group-stage victory over Tunisia, but Graham Potter's side were eliminated in the Round of 32 by a dominant France team.
Pride despite defeat
Speaking after the 3-0 loss, Gyokeres could not hide his disappointment but chose to focus on the positives. “It can't get much bigger than the World Cup,” he told FIFA. “It’s incredible and I’m very proud.” The Arsenal forward also highlighted the unwavering support of the Swedish fans, who continued to sing even as France took control. “They're the reason we’re here,” Gyokeres said. “We can’t do this without them. I’m sorry we couldn’t make more of this tournament.”
France's strength and a familiar foe
Gyokeres acknowledged France's quality, particularly their attacking cohesion. “Attacking-wise, they’re very well connected,” he said. “They know each other well, you can see it, you can feel it on the pitch. If they keep going like this and keep their defence organised – if they don’t let the opposition create so much – I think they will go very far, for sure. They’re a very good team.” He also faced his Arsenal teammate William Saliba, who helped keep Sweden at bay. “It was good to play against him,” Gyokeres said. “He’s a very good defender. That’s what I love to do: play against the best.”
Looking ahead to 2030
Gyokeres is already setting his sights on the 2030 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain. He believes Sweden, a relatively inexperienced squad, can develop into a formidable force. “We’re a new team,” he remarked. “We haven’t played in a big tournament before, or at least I only think one of us has. We’re a new team compared to a lot of others. France have played a lot together in tournaments before. I think we have extremely talented players. With time, I think we’re going to be very, very good.”
