Sweden are on the brink of missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup following three straight qualifying defeats, including a crushing home loss to Kosovo.
The Scandinavian nation’s hopes were all but extinguished after back-to-back losses this month, with Aftonbladet describing Monday night’s result as a “total disgrace.”
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Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side failed to score in either game despite fielding Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres in attack. Isak, who captained against Switzerland, has faced questions over his fitness after missing much of pre-season while forcing a move to Liverpool.
At Anfield, manager Arne Slot previously admitted Isak would need time to reach full sharpness an absence that may have proved costly for Sweden’s qualifying campaign.
Sweden now sit bottom of their group, six points behind second-placed Kosovo, with only two matches remaining. They would need a perfect finish and a significant goal swing to have any chance of even reaching the play-offs.
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Aftonbladet called the Kosovo loss “perhaps the worst thing Swedish football has ever experienced,” while fans displayed anti-Danish banners urging the FA to sack the under-fire coach.
Expressen was equally scathing, writing: “While the spectators endured an anaemic performance, the Dane tried to make light of what had happened with the energy of a LinkedIn coach who sells even a disaster as a valuable experience.”
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On Viaplay, ex-Sweden defender Jonas Olsson summed up the mood bluntly: “It’s so obvious that the team is completely broken in terms of self-confidence and self-esteem.”