Sweden actually ought to have already had one foot within the door for World Cup 2026 qualification. Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, Dejan Kulusevski, Anthony Elanga, plus extremely proficient Bundesliga kids like Hugo Larsson and Daniel Svensson – this lineup feels like pure world class!
And but, the “Tre Kronor” are on the very backside of their qualifying group, and not using a single win and with solely a measly level. As a substitute of World Cup anticipation, there’s a yellow-blue alert stage.
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How the hell might a crew with a market worth past 550 million euros be such a disappointment? The reply is advanced, however above all: fairly un-Swedish.
As a result of as a substitute of the stability and composure typical for Scandinavians, Swedish soccer has just lately proven quite a lot of naivety and a transparent alienation from its personal model of play.
Sweden’s Finest Workforce Ever? Not Even Shut!
The numbers communicate for themselves: In 4 qualifying matches to this point, they’ve managed simply two measly targets. And that’s with an assault whose gamers mild up their membership groups week after week. However within the nationwide crew? Extra like chilly espresso on the Ikea restaurant.
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Underneath former coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, the primary international supervisor in Swedish historical past, they suffered three defeats in a row. Twice they misplaced to Kosovo, as soon as to Switzerland. Neither Isak nor Gyökeres scored. The famous person duo, who collectively transferred for over 200 million euros this summer season, immediately regarded as toothless as younger Michel from Lönneberga.
Swedish reporter Daniel Kristoffersson summed it up succinctly in a dialog with ‘BBC Sport’: “This is likely one of the greatest Swedish groups, however the outcomes are among the many worst.”
📸 BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL
Failed Try at Modernization
Tomasson really wished to modernize Sweden. No extra of the traditional, sturdy 4-4-2 from the Mellberg years, however as a substitute extra attacking energy, extra braveness, extra dominance. What sounds excellent in concept failed in sensible execution.
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The gaps in midfield have been enormous, the protection as open as a household man after a six-hour Ikea purchasing journey. Opponents they need to have dominated created likelihood after likelihood.
Former nationwide participant Pontus Kåmark describes it like this: “Everybody performed for themselves, the areas in midfield have been far too large, the protection was uncovered. It was greater than only a participant downside.”
And Jonas Olsson, additionally a former nationwide participant, echoed the sentiment in a dialog with ‘Sky Sports activities’: “They wished to play extra offensively, however they have been too open and too naive. The plan was proper, however the timing was fully flawed.”
The consequence was a tactically overambitious strategy that ended up serving to nobody. The attacking stars have been left hanging, the protection was on hearth.
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A Dream Duo Solely on Paper
The truth that Gyökeres (at present out on account of damage) and Isak hardly work collectively has lengthy been a subject in Sweden. The issue: Underneath Tomasson, Sweden performed in a 3-4-2-1 system with Isak as a withdrawn striker, typically removed from the opponent’s purpose. Gyökeres hardly received the ball, whereas the Liverpool signing wasted his goal-scoring instincts in a vacuum.
“The chemistry between them simply wasn’t there. And so they have been far too hardly ever on the ball,” complains Olsson.
📸 Michael Campanella – 2025 Getty Photographs
Afraid, Potter?
On October 20, the minimize was made: Tomasson out, Graham Potter in. The Englishman has an nearly legendary status in Sweden, having led Östersunds FK from the fourth division as much as the Allsvenskan. He additionally sensationally received the nationwide cup.
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Kåmark is positively keen about Potter’s appointment. “Potter is virtually half Swedish. He understands our tradition, he’s humble, clear, structured, and a very good collective coach,” says the 56-year-old.
The benefit is evident: Whereas Tomasson wished to overload Sweden, Potter is prone to strategy his new activity with the required pragmatism.
Some followers even see him as a sort of savior determine. Olsson places it this fashion: “He’s one in every of their very own. An simply approachable coach who can deliver stability. However he has to ship instantly.”
The Scenario: A Miracle Is Wanted
However that’s precisely the place the issue lies. Direct World Cup qualification is already off the desk, so solely the arduous playoff route stays. And even that requires a small soccer miracle.
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Sweden must beat each Switzerland and Slovenia within the coming days, whereas Kosovo should not decide up a single level. That nearly feels like a activity from Astrid Lindgren’s magical worlds.
There may be nonetheless hope, although: Due to an excellent end within the final Nations League spherical, the crew has a second lifeline: By means of this rating, Sweden might slip into the playoffs as one of many 4 greatest groups not already certified elsewhere. From there, it could be “solely” three video games to the World Cup.
Pontus Kåmark aptly calls this backdoor “our fortunate ticket,” and that’s precisely the way it feels. Ought to Graham Potter win all three of those probably upcoming matches, then, as Kåmark dryly says, “he’ll be a god.”
📸 PONTUS LUNDAHL
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Now Solely a Little Magic Can Assist
Sweden has the gamers. It has the person high quality. It in all probability even has the coach who can deliver all of it collectively. What’s been lacking to this point is construction, stability, and a plan that matches this squad.
Now the nationwide crew stands at a crossroads: In the event that they fail once more, the supposedly golden technology of Isak, Gyökeres, and Kulusevski dangers lacking out on their prime World Cup. Already, in three of the final 4 tournaments, the Scandinavians needed to watch from their house Jättebo sofas.
To keep away from such a state of affairs repeating subsequent 12 months, a bit soccer miracle is required. Who is aware of: perhaps a little bit of Potter magic will do the trick.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 PONTUS LUNDAHL