Graham Potter has been tasked with guiding Sweden to the FIFA World Cup 26™ following the recent dismissal of Jon Dahl Tomasson.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion, Chelsea and West Ham coach has been appointed on an initial short-term deal, which covers next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland and Slovenia, and then a potential place in the UEFA play-off competition.
The role will be automatically extended for next year’s global showpiece in North America should Sweden qualify.
The appointment marks a return to Sweden for Potter who coached Ostersund from 2011-18, leading the team from the fourth tier into Sweden’s top flight in 2015 and the Swedish Cup title in 2017.
Despite the presence of big-money Premier League forwards Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, the Scandinavians lie bottom of Group B in UEFA qualifying with just one point from four matches. Following the 1-0 home defeat to Kosovo, the Swedish Football Association parted ways with Tomasson.
Yet even with their disappointing form and lowly position, Sweden can still secure a place in next year’s global showpiece via the 16-team UEFA play-off competition, which involves the 12 qualifying group runners-up and four best-ranked UEFA Nations League section winners.
Sweden were the tenth-best ranked Nations League group winner but, with many of the teams ranked above them expected to finish first or second in their World Cup qualifying groups, they have a lifeline to remain in the hunt for a World Cup play-off spot.
“I am very humble about the assignment, but also inspired,” Potter said. “Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the best leagues every week. My job will be to create the conditions so that we as a team deliver at the highest level to take Sweden to the World Cup next summer.”
