The 2026 Allsvenskan campaign is scheduled to begin over the weekend 4th-6th April, and Mjallby have an immediate test of their credentials with a match which - according to how 2025 ended up - is their toughest of the new season.
Despite finishing second, Hammarby finished 13 points below the champions, who they were beaten by home and away in 2025. But the Stockholm club will be keen to begin 2026 by gaining revenge.
Mjallby know they are now the hunted. Anders Torstensson has stepped down as manager, while key players such as goalkeeper Noel Tornqvist have moved on, with others, including Abdoulie Manneh, attracting plenty of attention, MAIF will have a different look about them in 2026.
Last season's assistant manager, Karl-Marius Aksum, has taken over from Torstensson, thus the revolutionary "scanning" technique that made Mjallby into an unlikely Swedish powerhouse.
Following Norrkoping's loss in the Playoff, there will be three new sides in the Allsvenskan in 2026, and two of them will meet in the opening round.
Not only are the 2025 top-flight runners-up welcoming the champions, but the 2025 Superettan runners-up, Kalmar, are welcoming champions Vasteras SK, for a match that both will be pencilling in as an early chance to get points on the board.
Meanwhile, Norrkoping's conquerors Orgryte have the unenviable task of facing Malmo at home first up. The record champions will be eager to make up for a dreadful 2025 by their standards, as they finished in sixth.
Things won't get any easier for Orgryte, as they will be the first team to go to Strandvallen, home of the champions, in round two.
