Explaining why Sweden’s World Cup training base is crumbling around them: ‘What the hell happened?’
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Explaining why Sweden’s World Cup training base is crumbling around them: ‘What the hell happened?’
The Toyota Stadium is currently undergoing a $182 million renovation project. Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty Images
By Sebastian Stafford-Bloor and Chris VanniniJune 25, 2026 Updated 1:00 pm EDTSweden’s World Cup training in Frisco, Texas had a strange backdrop on Wednesday.
Graham Potter’s players were preparing for their final World Cup group game against Japan on Thursday, beneath what looked like a collapsed grandstand and a great pile of debris.
It confused the players, too, including midfielder Besfort Zeneli, who was asked about the pile of rubble by the travelling Swedish media.
“I just thought, ‘What happened?’ As far as I know, there wasn’t a storm,” he said, via Aftonbladet.
He was right: there was no storm — nor was anybody hurt, and there was no impact on the training schedule or the usability of the pitch.
The Toyota Stadium, which is normally home to MLS side FC Dallas and the UFL franchise the Dallas Renegades, is currently undergoing a $182 million renovation project.
The work was part of ‘a planned and controlled demolition’, said FC Dallas (Paul Ellis / AFP via Getty Images)The works are due to be completed in 2028 and are continuing around World Cup training sessions, but while the demolition of the grandstand and press box were planned — there was a problem.
Stefan Pettersson, Sweden’s team manager, confirmed to Aftonbladet on Wednesday that he had been given prior warning of the issue, that the team’s ability to use the facilities had been completely unaffected, and that nobody had been hurt.
“They were supposed to demolish something and it looks like it fell in the wrong direction,” Pettersson said. “Luckily, no one was hurt. They probably detonated it and then something went wrong.
“The players were a bit wide-eyed when they arrived. They said, ‘Oh, what the hell happened?’ when they came and saw this. They didn’t know anything about it before.”
Having won their first game 5-1 against Tunisia, the Swedes then lost by the same scoreline against the Netherlands on the second matchday.
It leaves them in third place in Group F, needing a win against Japan in Arlington to guarantee a place in the knockout rounds.
An FC Dallas spokesperson told The Athletic: “The activity observed near FC Dallas Stadium occurred before Sweden’s training session and was part of a planned and controlled demolition within an active construction zone. The work was conducted using a pull-down demolition method and did not involve explosives. Training proceeded as scheduled, and Sweden completed its session as planned.”
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
