Overview
- Hien suffered the injury while stretching to block a cross in Sweden’s 1-1 draw with Japan and limped off after 37 minutes, forcing an early substitution.
- SvFF and national team doctor Jonas Werner confirmed on Saturday that the left‑hamstring problem is serious enough to end Hien’s World Cup campaign and that he will go back to his club to start rehab.
- Initial scans have shown a major hamstring issue and the player is expected to undergo specialist assessment to determine the full damage and whether surgery will be required.
- Sweden manager Graham Potter has already adjusted the defence in response, moving captain Victor Lindelof back to central defence and introducing Lucas Bergvall, and must finalise his backline for the Round of 32 against France.
- Hien had started all three group games for Sweden, so his absence removes an experienced centre‑back from the squad and could affect Sweden’s defensive continuity and selection for the knockout phase.