After eight long years, Sweden will return to the FIFA World Cup™ following a topsy-turvy, revenge-laced 3-2 victory over Poland in the Path B European play-off final.
The Scandinavians failed to win any of their six qualifiers for the tournament and finished bottom of Group B, but qualified for the play-offs thanks to their UEFA Nations League ranking.
From there, Graham Potter’s side eased past Ukraine in the semi-finals, before an 88th-minute goal from Viktor Gyokeres finally saw off Poland in dramatic circumstances. The victory was made even sweeter by the fact that Poland had defeated Sweden at this stage ahead of Qatar 2022.
The current Sweden side is packed with quality. Aside from Gyokeres, Anthony Elanga, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Victor Lindelof and Benjamin Nygren make up a strong spine of the team, while youngsters Yasin Ayari, Roony Bardghji and Lucas Bergvall offer plenty of excitement. Star forwards Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski missed the play-offs through injury, but are hopeful of returning before the global finals.
Graham Potter was hired as Sweden coach last October, and while he failed to win either of his first two matches, his contract was extended until 2030 in March. He is the second Englishman to take charge of the Blågult after George Raynor, who took the nation to the 1958 final versus Brazil.
The Swedes will contest Group F at the tournament, opening their campaign versus Tunisia in Guadalupe, before tackling the Netherlands and Japan.
Sweden at the FIFA World Cup
First appearance: 1934
Qualifications: 13 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2026)
Best result: Runners-up (1958)
