Viktor Gyokeres’ late goal sends Sweden to World Cup 2026, ending an eight-year absence from the tournament.
Solna | By Sayer Zaland
Sweden booked their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after an 88th-minute goal from Viktor Gyokeres secured a 3-2 victory over Poland in the Path B European play-off final. This marks the Scandinavian nation’s first appearance at the tournament since 2018.
The Swedes struggled during the qualifiers, failing to win any of their six Group B matches, but advanced to the play-offs through their UEFA Nations League ranking. They overcame Ukraine in the semi-finals before meeting Poland, who had previously defeated Sweden at this stage ahead of Qatar 2022.
Coach Graham Potter’s side, featuring standout performers Anthony Elanga, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Victor Lindelof, and Benjamin Nygren, managed to hold off a determined Polish squad. Star forwards Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski missed the play-offs through injury but are expected to return for the main tournament.
Sweden will compete in Group F at the World Cup, opening against Tunisia in Guadalupe, before facing the Netherlands and Japan. The team has now qualified for its 14th World Cup, having finished as runners-up in 1958, their best result to date.