Sweden secured a dramatic 3-2 play-off win over Poland to reach the 2026 World Cup, earning a first appearance at the tournament since 2018 and booking a place in Group F with Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia, where Sweden will open against Tunisia on June 14.
Graham Potter called guiding Sweden to the World Cup the greatest moment of a coaching journey that started in the country, as the national team completed a tense qualification run that included a change of head coach and a late surge through the Nations League route.
Sweden’s victory placed the team alongside Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia in Group F, creating a demanding schedule where Sweden’s first match comes against Tunisia on June 14, before facing Japan and then Netherlands in a group
that mixes European and Asian opposition.
The play-off final at Strawberry Arena swung several times, with Anthony Elanga scoring first for Sweden, Nicola Zalewski equalising, then Gustaf Lagerbielke restoring the lead before half-time, and Karol Swiderski bringing Poland level again, setting up a frantic closing spell that decided Sweden’s qualification.
The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Viktor Gyokeres reacted quickest after Besfort Zeneli’s shot hit the post, driving the rebound into the net and sending Sweden to the World Cup after a contest in which Poland had more attempts but could not make them count.
Across the 90 minutes, Poland attempted 15 shots compared to Sweden’s nine and produced seven efforts on target to Sweden’s five, yet the hosts created better chances overall, finishing with an expected goals value of 1.7 against Poland’s 1.5 despite the visitors’ higher volume of attempts.
The qualification path had been difficult for Sweden, with Jon Dahl Tomasson dismissed after collecting only one point from the first four Group B fixtures, before the team recovered through the Nations League play-off route, defeating Ukraine in the semi-finals and then progressing further under Potter’s leadership.
Potter’s connection with Swedish football goes back to 2011 and the start of a coaching career at Ostersund, shaping the personal meaning of this achievement. "It's the best night of my life, and I've had some wonderful nights, you know, stories withOstersund and European adventures and Champions League, Premier League wins, but this just feels like more," Potter told reporters.
Potter highlighted the mood inside Strawberry Arena and the feeling of representing an entire country, adding: "You can feel the atmosphere in the ground. It's very rarely you go to football places and feel that. I think when you're a national team, you're working for more than yourself, so when you add all that up and then put the context of the game and the environment and the atmosphere, it was just a special moment. "
@FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/RZUFWWSEsSSvensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) March 31, 2026
Sweden World Cup 2026 squad atmosphere and leadership
Before kick-off, Viktor Gyokeres spoke about an improved environment around the squad since Potter’s arrival, and that view was later echoed by Newcastle United player Anthony Elanga, who stressed the effect of both the coaching staff and the leaders within the playing group.
Elanga described how the group dynamic has shifted under the current setup, saying: "We have very good players and strong leadership, which has helped us a lot since they came in. We all appreciate them greatly," Elanga added. "They have created an environment where we can simply enjoy our football. We defend together and attack together. I think that is the most important thing. "
Sweden now move from an unsettled qualifying campaign into a World Cup group that offers stern tests but also clear opportunities, carrying momentum from a dramatic play-off run, renewed team spirit, and a coach whose history in Swedish football has shaped this successful return to the global stage.
