The Swedes crashed out at the opening stage of Euro 2012 and, with Italy and Belgium in their group this time round, a win over Ireland in their opener would go a long way towards helping them reach the last 16.

To make an impact at Euro 2016, they will need captain and record international scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic to continue to find the net on French soil.

They also have plenty of cover on the wings and at full-back but choosing the best pairings at the centre of defence and in central midfield will give coach Erik Hamren his biggest headaches.

Fifa ranking: 35
Manager: Erik Hamren
Squad - Goalkeepers: Andreas Isaksson, Robin Olsen, Patrik Carlgren. Defenders: Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Mikael Lustig, Pontus Jansson, Erik Johansson, Andreas Granqvist, Ludwig Augustinsson, Martin Olsson. Midfielders: Albin Ekdal, Oscar Hiljemark, Erkan Zengin, Jimmy Durmaz, Emil Forsberg, Sebastian Larsson, Kim Kallstrom, Pontus Wernbloom, Oscar Lewicki. Forwards: Marcus Berg, John Guidetti, Emir Kujovic, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Key player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The 34-year-old with the spectacular skills and lethal finishing ability netted 11 of Sweden's 19 goals in qualifying, including three of their four in the play-off win over Denmark.

REUTERS