Taha Ali on His Sweden Debut: "My Family Were Shocked. They Have Seen Me for 27 Years"

Taha Ali came on with just under half an hour to play against Greece in Sweden's World Cup warm-up match on Thursday.

SFN Editor · 8 Jun 2026

He set up the winning goal, left the Greek defence looking helpless repeatedly on his left flank, and came off to a standing ovation from Graham Potter and his teammates.

A few days later, sitting in Dallas ahead of Sweden's World Cup opener, the Malmö FF forward is still trying to take it all in.

For Ali, it was his family's reaction that hit him hardest.

"That they were shocked. They have seen me for 27 years," – Taha Ali, speaking to Fotbollskanalen.

Ali barely slept that night. He was flooded with attention on social media and says he takes it with a pinch of salt, but what matters more to him is what the performance means inside the squad.

"With that match I think I also get a different kind of respect from the group. That I show I am a player who deserves to be here. I think that carries more weight," – Taha Ali, speaking to Fotbollskanalen.

Potter has not confirmed whether Ali will be in his starting lineup against Tunisia on 14 June, but the debut has given the Malmö forward every reason to believe he will be involved.