Ones to Watch: OBOS Damallsvenskan
Profiling the young stars to keep an eye on in FM26
The Cutback has partnered with Football Manager to deliver a series of articles that go deeper on the tactics and gameplay of the world’s leading football management simulation game ahead of Football Manager 26’s release.
This year, women’s football features in Football Manager for the very first time, so to get fans ready for a brand new experience, The Cutback has put together the ultimate insights on FM26. Find out about the secrets of building FM26, dive into the tactical details of all 12 WSL sides and hear about the next gen talent that will feature in the game.
Here, we’re highlighting some of the most exciting young talents in the OBOS Damallsvenskan. Football Manager is all about finding the next generation of stars who will power you to success in the game. We want to platform the young players fans may not already know about, so we’ve excluded some of the more established international players and instead focused on the emerging prospects you need to keep your eye on.
Felicia Schröder
National team: Sweden
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Club: BK Häcken FF
Still only 18, Felicia Schröder has already established herself as one of the most decisive attacking players in the OBOS Damallsvenskan. After debuting in 2023, she exploded the following year with 12 league goals, and has since taken another leap, leading the Golden Boot race this season with 27 goals and 8 assists in 23 appearances. Her maturity in front of goal and ability to consistently deliver for a title-challenging side underline a player well beyond her age in development.
On the pitch, Schröder is a technically sharp and dynamic forward who can operate both as a striker and off the wing. Her acceleration and dribbling make her dangerous in 1v1 situations, while her finishing and composure inside the box translate to a natural scorer’s instinct. She also combines off-the-ball movement, agility, and flair with stamina and determination. Though not physically dominant, she compensates with intelligent positioning and timing of runs, constantly attacking space between defenders. With her current trajectory, she looks like one of the most advanced attacking prospects in Scandinavia, and one whose potential ceiling might exceed expectations.
Smilla Holmberg
National team: Sweden
Age: 18
Position: Right fullback
Club: Hammarby IF
Holmberg has established herself this season as the starting right-back for Hammarby IF, despite her young age. At 19, she collected 24 league starts, playing over 2,000 minutes and contributing 6 goals and 3 assists. Her rise through Hammarby’s system has been rapid, and she has already earned a call-up to the Sweden senior national team, showing the trust placed in her potential at both club and international level.
On the field, Holmberg stands out for her tackling, positioning, and crossing ability. She defends confidently in 1v1 situations, often winning the ball cleanly, and when she pushes forward she delivers accurate service. High stamina and work rate allow her to maintain intensity throughout the match, while her good first touch helps her control under pressure and initiate quick combinations. Areas for further growth include strength in physical duels and decision making when choosing moments to advance, but with her blend of defensive reliability and attacking contribution, she looks set to become a cornerstone for both Hammarby and Sweden in the years ahead.
Nova Selin
National team: Sweden
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
Club: AIK
One of the brightest new faces in Swedish football, Nova Selin has quickly gone from a promising academy talent to a key figure in AIK’s midfield. After making her senior debut in 2023, she has become a regular starter this season, featuring in 23 matches mainly as an attacking midfielder, with 3 goals and an assist. At just 17, she has shown both composure and consistency, standing out as one of the team’s most reliable performers in a demanding campaign.
Selin is a dynamic and technically refined attacking midfielder who can operate either centrally or in the left half-space channel. She combines quick acceleration and brave forward runs with sharp close control and precise passing, always eager to connect play between lines. Her high work rate and ability to recover possession add balance to her game, making her more complete than many players in her age bracket. At times she can take excessive risks when dropping deeper to link play, occasionally losing possession in dangerous areas, but that can be refined with experience. With her mentality and early impact at the senior level, Selin looks like one of AIK’s cornerstones for the next few years.
Filippa Andersson Widén
National team: Sweden
Age: 16
Position: Winger
Club: Kristianstads DFF
At just sixteen, Filippa Andersson Widén is already proving she belongs at senior level. After making her OBOS Damallsvenskan debut in 2024, she has doubled her involvement this season with 20 appearances, scoring twice and adding an assist for Kristianstad in the league. Her rise has been marked by maturity and a calmness in possession that belie her age, making her one of the youngest regulars in the league.
Andersson Widén is a modern wide player, confident in 1v1 situations and fairly efficient in her decision-making. Her good dribbling success rate highlights her ability to beat defenders cleanly, and she tends to stay composed under pressure, preferring to find short, accurate combinations rather than forcing crosses. Showing good technique, flair, and composure. If there’s an area to refine, it’s her physical presence and defensive work rate. She can sometimes be outmuscled in duels and is still developing her stamina and positioning when tracking back. Attributes that, once improved, would make her a more complete wide option capable of contributing on both sides of the ball.
Olivia Ulenius
National team: Finland
Age: 18
Position: Wide midfielder / Winger
Club: Djurgårdens IF DFF
Still only 18, Finland U18 international Olivia Ulenius has already carved out a consistent role in Djurgårdens’ first team, featuring in over 20 league matches this season. Deployed mainly as a wide midfielder in a 4-4-2, she offers balance between energy, discipline, and directness, a profile not always common at her age. With five goals and two assists, she’s shown a good end product to complement her tireless work rate.
Ulenius’ biggest strengths lie in her acceleration, stamina, and determination, making her a natural fit for systems that demand constant tracking back and quick transitions. She’s capable of carrying the ball forward and combining effectively in the final third, while also showing good teamwork in defensive duels and solid work rate in recovery runs. Her main area for growth is decision-making in possession, at times rushing plays or forcing passes when a simpler option is available. With experience, though, her mix of athleticism and tactical awareness could make her a very reliable two-way winger at both club and international level.
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