Sweden evacuate hotel after false alarm

Sweden's players suffered a rude awakening ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash with England when the fire alarm went off at their hotel in Samara, leading it to be evacuated.

The Swedish players were roused from their slumbers and moved out of their rooms on Saturday morning, but luckily it turned out to be a false alarm and they could go back to recharging their batteries ahead of their first World Cup quarter-final since 1994.

"It was just after half past eight this morning, a false alarm. All the players are feeling fine," Sweden press officer Staffan Stjernholm said.

The Swedes take on England at midnight (AEST), with hosts Russia facing Croatia later in the evening.