The Swedes were one of five participating countries from Europe, and they had summoned a reasonably strong squad, where no less than 12 from their 20 man strong squad would feature at full international level during the calendar year. Among the players in the squad were 18 based domestically, as well as two foreign based players in wide midfielder Anders Limpar (Young Boys, Switzerland) and forward Hans Eskilsson (Sporting Lisboa, Portugal). The age span among the 20 ranged from 21 (midfielders Jonas Thern and Stefan Rehn) to 31 (third choice goalkeeper Bengt Nilsson and central defender Göran Arnberg).

Sweden were participants in Group 1 along with fellow Europeans West Germany, as well as Tunisia and China. The Swedes would impress throughout the group stage, and they would go on and win their group with a draw and two wins. This was their list of results in chronological order:

Group A:
17/9: Tunisia 2-2 (Thern, Hellström)
19/9: China 2-0 (Lönn, Hellström)
21/9: West Germany 2-1 (Engqvist, Lönn)

quarter-final:
25/9: Italy 1-2 (Hellström)

It had been an excellent tournament for IFK Norrköping striker Jan Hellström, who finished with three goals from four matches. Two goals for central defender Peter Lönn, from the same club, was also a fine return. Both players would be further rewarded with full international appearances during 1989.

List of players:
1 Sven Andersson, Örgryte (24) goalkeeper
2 Sulo Vaattovaara, IFK Norrköping (26), defender
3 Peter Lönn, IFK Norrköping (27), defender
4 Göran Arnberg, IK Brage (31), defender
5 Roland Nilsson, IFK Göteborg (24), defender
6 Jonas Thern, Malmö FF (21), midfielder
7 Leif Engqvist, Malmö FF (26), midfielder
8 Michael Andersson, IFK Göteborg (29), midfielder
9 Joakim Nilsson, Malmö FF (22), midfielder
10 Anders Limpar, Young Boys (22), midfielder
11 Håkan Lindman, Malmö FF (26), forward
12 Bengt Nilsson, IK Brage (31), goalkeeper
13 Martin Dahlin, Malmö FF (22), forward
14 Hans Eskilsson, Sporting Lisboa (22), forward
15 Jan Hellström, IFK Norrköping (28), forward
16 Roger Ljung, Malmö FF (22), defender
17 Lars Eriksson, Hammarby (22), goalkeeper
18 Ola Svensson, IFK Göteborg (24), defender
19 Anders Palmér, Malmö FF (28), midfielder
20 Stefan Rehn, Djurgården (21), midfielder