Gabriel Gudmundsson boost as Leeds United star has World Cup fate confirmed
The first of what could be a few Leeds United stars have had their World Cup fate confirmed.
Swedish international Gabriel Gudmundsson has become the first Leeds United player to be named in a 2026 World Cup squad.
Gudmundsson has missed Leeds’ last two games after picking up a hamstring issue during last month’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea. Farke initially confirmed his left-back would definitely sit out Burnley and Tottenham with what he described as a ‘bit of a serious injury’.
It remains to be seen if the 27-year-old will return in time to face either Brighton or West Ham but in a big boost, that hamstring injury hasn't proven serious enough to cast doubt on his World Cup future. Gudmundsson was indeed named in Graham Potter’s 26-man squad on Tuesday night.
Gudmundsson has been a regular at international level under Potter, who took charge of Sweden in October 2025. The Leeds defender featured in every World Cup qualifying match, starting both crucial play-off games during the March international break.
Sweden beat Ukraine in their semi-final before a 3-2 win over Poland secured their place at the World Cup. Gudmundsson’s nation are in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
Potter’s side face Tunisia in their first game at 3am on June 15 UK time. They then face the Netherlands on June 20 before taking on Japan five days later. That final group game could see Gudmundsson come up against an Elland Road teammate in the form of midfielder Ao Tanaka.
Gabriel Gudmundsson call-up a huge personal boost
Gudmundsson joins a host of fellow Premier League stars in the Sweden squad. Alongside the Leeds man are Liverpool striker Alexander Isak, Arsenal star Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle United’s Anthony Elanga, among others.
Inclusion in the Sweden squad at least suggests Gudmundsson’s hamstring injury is not serious enough to keep him out for several more weeks. Farke will be expected to provide an update on his defender ahead of Brighton on Sunday, with his assistant Edmund Riemer revealing last week there would be daily assessment.
“I think, as the manager already mentioned last week, Gabi will be out for this week [vs Tottenham] and then we need to assess him on a daily basis,” Riemer explained. “Hopefully he can be with us as soon as possible.”
With Leeds mathematically safe, they are unlikely to rush Gudmundsson back for their final two games even amid a mini-injury crisis. The Swede was one of four first-team players to miss Monday’s draw at Tottenham, joining Ilia Gruev, Jayden Bogle and Noah Okafor on the sidelines.
Pascal Struijk then limped off in the second-half with what looked to be a hip issue which he’d been managing through the week. He is now doubtful to face Brighton on Sunday while on-loan attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte is ineligible, having joined Leeds from the Seagulls in January.