Some fairytales just keep writing themselves. In 2025, Mjällby—a humble club from a tiny Swedish fishing village—stunned the nation by winning the Allsvenskan title. Now, that incredible story reaches new heights as Elliot Stroud earns a call-up to Sweden's 2026 World Cup squad.

Born in Stockholm to an English father and a Swedish mother, Stroud joined Mjällby from IK Oddevold in 2023. He immediately became a key player, racking up 14 goal contributions (nine goals and five assists) during the club's historic championship run. His performances earned him the title of league's best right-back.

This season, which kicked off in Sweden just last month, Stroud has already scored twice and added an assist in seven matches. Back in March, he received his first national team call-up for the World Cup qualifying playoffs that secured Sweden's spot at the tournament, though he didn't make his international debut then.

Now, under manager Graham Potter, Stroud has made history as the first Mjällby player ever selected for a Swedish World Cup squad. The news left him stunned.

"It feels like a prank," Stroud told SVT Sport. "My girlfriend and I were sitting there wearing Sweden shirts, cheering really hard. When I heard my name, I didn't really know what to feel. It's a moment of great honour and pride."

Mjällby's home ground, Strandvallen, is located in Hällevik—a fishing village on the Baltic Sea coast with just over 1,500 residents. Remarkably, the stadium holds five times that population. Before their 2025 title run, the club had never finished higher than fifth in the Swedish top flight. But last season, they dominated with 23 wins, six draws, and just one defeat.

Currently sitting sixth in the league, Mjällby have also reached the Swedish Cup final after thrashing powerhouse Malmö 4-0 in the quarter-finals. Elliot Stroud scored in that match too—adding another chapter to a fairytale that just keeps getting better.