By Martin Graham
Sweden’s current group of forwards — Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, Anthony Elanga, and Dejan Kulusevski — had raised expectations of a smooth journey toward the 2026 World Cup. Instead, the team has fallen to the foot of their qualifying section under Slovenia, Kosovo, and Switzerland, and a direct ticket is already out of reach. Four fixtures have come and gone without a victory, and not one of those outings produced the goals expected from such a potent front line.
The downturn pushed the federation to dismiss Jon Dahl Tomasson in October, cutting short a tenure of less than two years. His spell began with optimism after a Nations League promotion powered by Gyökeres’ ten goals and Isak’s five in 2024. Recent months, however, brought only setbacks. Sweden endured three straight defeats — twice to Kosovo and once to Switzerland — without finding the net. Reporter Daniel Kristoffersson summed up the mood by saying that one of Sweden’s most talented groups had delivered some of its bleakest results.
Former defender Pontus Kamark noted that the problems went deeper than missed chances. He argued that the side functioned poorly as a unit, leaving gaps in midfield that exposed an already fragile back line. He felt that Tomasson’s reluctance to adjust only worsened matters. By the time the second Kosovo loss arrived, he said, a reset had become unavoidable.
Why Potter’s arrival brings renewed confidence
When Tomasson was relieved of his duties, Graham Potter happened to be in Sweden, reflecting publicly on his long connection with the country. Only days later, he accepted the offer to take charge. The English coach has spent significant time within Swedish football, guiding Östersunds from the fourth division to the top flight over seven seasons and securing the Swedish Cup in 2017. His familiarity with the culture has led many to describe him as “almost Swedish”.
Kamark suggested that Potter’s fluency in the language and his understated approach immediately endeared him to supporters. His previous spells at Brighton, Swansea, Chelsea, and West Ham have strengthened his profile, despite challenges in his two most recent roles. Kamark stressed that Potter’s collaborative style is particularly well suited to Sweden, where teams often respond to strong, clear leadership without the competing egos found at major Premier League clubs.
He also highlighted Potter’s flexibility and tactical imagination. Sweden, he argued, struggles when attempting to dictate play centrally in major tournaments. A more coherent collective structure — one of Potter’s trademarks — could help address those issues. Kamark pointed to Östersunds’ away win at Arsenal in 2018 as a glimpse of Potter’s capacity to outperform expectations, even if achieved in a single memorable match.
What remains possible for Sweden
A second-place finish in the qualifying group is still mathematically obtainable, but it hinges on beating both Switzerland and Slovenia while relying on Kosovo to drop remaining points. Even that path may be unnecessary. Sweden’s promotion in the latest Nations League campaign has placed them among the leading contenders for a World Cup play-off berth via that competition’s ranking system.
If they secure one of those slots, three knockout matches would separate them from a place at the finals. Kamark emphasized that optimism persists within the country, with commentators repeatedly referring to this alternate route as a fortunate lifeline. Should Potter guide Sweden through those decisive fixtures, he said, the manager would be hailed in extraordinary terms.
Even if the short-term mission falls short, Potter is expected to be afforded patience. The hope is that he can forge a clearer identity quickly and rebuild belief around a team that still holds considerable individual quality.
