The 2026 World Cup qualifiers are getting harder for Sweden, and two of its most expensive strikers, Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak, are under intense pressure to improve the team’s performance.
Sweden is in bottom place in the table with just one point after three Group B games, behind Slovenia (2 points), Kosovo (4 points), and Switzerland (9 points). A subpar showing in Monday’s game against Kosovo may send the team into a grave crisis and make their trip to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico much more difficult.
Alongside Isak and Gyökeres, the team also features other well-known players from the younger generation that is anticipated to lead the Swedish squad in the upcoming years, including Svensson (Dortmund), Elanga (Newcastle), Bardghji (Barcelona), and Bergvall (Tottenham).
Sweden Must Defeat Kosovo
The job of the national team manager is at risk. Although there are more and more demands for his resignation, the players and association management claim they support Jon Dahl Tomasson. If he can lead the team to the World Championship, his contract will automatically be extended, although it expires after the World Championship qualification.
Tomasson provides fresh blends. He substituted six players against Switzerland from the starting eleven against Kosovo in September for a variety of reasons. Forget about winning the group; Switzerland will win the World Championship. March playoff matches are awarded for second place. With the Nations League group win last autumn, Sweden can also scrape together a playoff berth even if second place is missing.
The two Swedish attacks were under increasing pressure until the Dardanian defence successfully blocked them both against Kosovo in Pristina. The next test for the Dardanian defence and the pricey Swedish forwards is tonight; if they can stop these two once more, our players’ worth will rise even further.
