Swedes risk missing the match against the Netherlands.
Now TV4 is warning the midsummer celebrants who have thought of turning on the television at the last minute.
– There is a risk of bottlenecks, says the sports director Johan Cederqvist.
32 years ago we celebrated Midsummer in the Pontiac Silverdome.
Martin Dahlin headed in the 3-1 ball against Russia and Arne Hegerfors commented lyrically on the events. In 2026, it’s time again. New World Cup in the USA, new European opposition, new match in the second round of the group stage.
On Midsummer’s Day at 7 p.m., the match is broadcast on TV4 and commented by Lasse Granqvist and Jens Fjellström. But there is a risk that Swedes who switch on the TV just before the start of the match will have trouble watching the drama.
Since January 2026, TV4 is no longer included in the terrestrial network. This means that those who watch via TV antenna, which one in ten Swedes do according to the Media Authority, need a subscription to watch the broadcast.
“It’s about safety margins”
If the influx is too great before midsummer night, it could mean problems, says TV4’s sports director Johan Cederqvist, and therefore wishes that the interested party resolves the subscription in advance.
– There is always a risk if many people have to cancel subscriptions and log in at the same time. There has not been a match of this magnitude for a long time and many may be in the summer cottage celebrating midsummer. So our strong recommendation is to resolve it as early as possible. The talk starts already at 3.30 p.m., he says.
What can happen if everyone waits with the subscription until 19.00?
– It’s about safety margins, about reducing the risks of problems. I’m not sure that anything will happen, but there may be bottlenecks if several tens of thousands have to resolve subscriptions in the same minute.
After the 5–1 victory against Tunisia in the opener, Sweden is in principle already ready for the round of 16 of the World Cup. A victory against the Netherlands means that we will at worst be second in the group and then face a team from Group C, where Brazil, Morocco, Scotland and Haiti play.
Johan Cederqvist. Photo: EMMA WALLSKOG / BILDBYRÅN
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