What is the USWNT’s Women’s World Cup record against Sweden?

The group stage of the Women’s World Cup 2023 didn’t exactly go to plan for the USWNT, who finished Group E in second spot behind the Netherlands after drawing with both the Dutch and Portugal. As a result, they will now have to take on Group G winners Sweden, who have regularly done deep in the tournament over the years, in the round of 16, rather than South Africa, who had never won a World Cup match until Wednesday.

How many times have the USWNT and Sweden played each other at the World Cup?

The Stars and Stripes are no strangers to taking on the Swedes at women soccer’s biggest event, having already done so on six previous occasions. Incredibly enough, this year’s edition was the first time since 1999 that the two nations had not been drawn together in the group stage, but they will at least get their customary chance to cross paths in the first ever knockout meeting.

In those six meetings, the United States have come out on top on four occasions and Sweden once, with one draw.

1991: Sweden 2- 3 USWNT, group stage

Both teams progressed to the knockout rounds of the first ever Women’s World Cup but it was the US who did so as group winners thanks to an ultimately hard-fought win in Guangzhou in China. The Stars and Stripes went 3-0 up just after an hour thanks to two goals from Carin Jennings and a third by Mia Hamm, but the Swedes pulled two goals back to set up a nervy finish.

The USWNT won the inaugural tournament, winning in the final against Norway, who thrashed Sweden 4-1 in the semis.

2003: USWNT 3-1 Sweden, group stage

The countries had to wait 12 years to meet again but almost exactly the same thing happened, with a US victory in Washington securing top spot in the group. Kristine Lilly and Cynthia Parlow had the hosts 2-0 up at half time before Victoria Svensson pulled a goal back before the hour mark. But Shannon Boxx’s strike 12 minutes from time sealed the win and a perfect group stage record.

It was the Swedes who would reach the final this time, however, although they lost against Germany by virtue of a golden goal. The USWNT lost to the Germans in the last four and beat Canada to secure third place.

2007: Sweden 0-2 USWNT, group stage

A comfortable win for the United States in Chengdu in China, with both goals scored by Mary Wambach. This time, however, it would cost Sweden their place in the quarter-finals.

The USWNT were thumped 4-0 by Brazil in the semi-finals and again finished third, beating Norway in a playoff.

2011: Sweden 2-1 USWNT, group stage

Role reversal as Sweden’s only World Cup win over the USWNT ensured it was they who would go through to the last eight as group winners. Lisa Dahlkvist opened the scoring and Amy LePeilbet put through her own net to give the Swedes a 2-0 lead at the break. Wambach pulled a goal back in the second half to no avail.

It was the US, however, who reached another final but they suffered a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Japan, who had defeated Sweden in the semi-finals. The Scandinavians won against France to finish third.

2015: USWNT 0-0, group stage

A goalless draw in Winnipeg in the middle group game, which will probably not live long in the memory for anyone.

Both teams made it through to the round of 16 of a new format and the USWNT went on to win their third World Cup, convincingly beating Japan in the final. Sweden were easily disposed of by Germany in the first knockout round.

2019: Sweden 0-2 USWNT, group stage

The most recent World Cup meeting between the teams saw the United States run out 2-0 winners in Le Havre thanks to a Lindsey Horan strike and a Joanna Andersson own goal. Once more, the game decided the group.

The USWNT won their second tournament in a row, seeing off the Netherlands in the final, while Sweden finish third for the second time after beating England in a playoff.