By Martin Graham
that of Sweden current forward group – Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, Anthony Elangai Dejan Kulusevski — had raised expectations of a smooth journey to the 2026 World Cup. Instead, the team has fallen to the bottom of its qualifying section under Slovenia, Kosovoi Switzerlandand a direct ticket is already out of reach. Four games have come and gone without a win, and none of those outings have produced the goals expected from such a powerful front line.
The fallout pushed the federation to sack Jon Dahl Tomasson in October, cutting his tenure to less than two years. Their tenure began with optimism following a promotion to the Nations League fueled by Gyökeres’ ten goals and Isak’s five in 2024. The final few months, however, brought only setbacks. Sweden suffered three consecutive defeats, twice in Kosovo and once in Switzerland, without finding the net. Journalist Daniel Kristoffersson summed up the mood by saying that one of Sweden’s most talented groups had produced some of their most bleak results.
Former defender Pontus Kamark pointed out that the problems ran deeper than missed chances. He argued that the team was working poorly as a unit, leaving gaps in midfield that exposed an already fragile backline. He felt Tomasson’s reluctance to adjust only made matters worse. By the time Kosovo’s second defeat came, he said, a reset had become inevitable.
Why Potter’s arrival brings renewed confidence
When Tomasson was relieved of his duties, Graham Potter was in Sweden, publicly reflecting on his long connection with the country. Only a few days later, he accepted the offer to take over. The English manager has spent considerable time in Swedish football, guiding Östersunds from the fourth division to the top flight for 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 language and low-key approach endeared him immediately to fans. His previous spells at Brighton, Swansea, Chelsea and West Ham have boosted his profile, despite challenges in his two most recent roles. Kamark emphasized that Potter’s collaborative style is particularly suited to Sweden, where teams often respond to clear and strong leadership without the competitive egos found at the Premier League’s top clubs.
He also highlighted Potter’s flexibility and tactical imagination. Sweden, he argued, struggles when it tries to dictate the game centrally in major tournaments. A more coherent collective structure, one of Potter’s trademarks, could help solve these problems. Kamark pointed to Östersunds’ win at Arsenal in 2018 as a glimpse of Potter’s ability to exceed expectations, even if it comes in just one memorable game.
What remains possible for Sweden
A second place in the qualifying group is still mathematically obtainable, but depends on beating both Switzerland and Slovenia while relying on Kosovo to drop the remaining points. Even this path may be unnecessary. Sweden’s rise to prominence in the latest Nations League campaign has placed them among the main contenders for a World Cup play-off place via the competition’s ranking system.
If they secure one of those spots, three knockout games would separate them from a place in the finals. Kamark stressed that optimism persists in the country, with commentators repeatedly referring to this alternative route as a lucky lifeline. If Potter guides Sweden through those crucial games, he said, the manager would be hailed in extraordinary terms.
Even if the short-term mission falls short, Potter is expected to be patient. The hope is that he can forge a clearer identity quickly and rebuild belief around a team that still has considerable individual quality.
