Sweden's World Cup history
Sweden has faced many qualifying dramas throughout its history - and the road to the next World Cup is no exception. Every point, every goal and every decision can determine whether the dream lives on or dies. But despite the setbacks, there is still hope: a new generation of players, an offence that can surprise, and a belief that Swedish football will always find its way back when it matters most. Here's what the road to the World Cup looks like - and what it will take for the Blue and Gold to go all the way.
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How Sweden can reach the World Cup
Sweden's men's national football team is struggling in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, to be played in the US, Canada and Mexico. Three straight losses have put them last in Group B, and Jon Dahl Tomasson has been sacked as coach. Hope for the World Cup is alive, but it's a steep uphill battle. Here we look at what it will take, what the betting market is saying and who could take the helm.
The organisation of the qualification and Sweden's position
The World Cup qualifiers in Europe consist of 12 groups with four teams in each. The winner goes straight to the World Cup, while the runner-up gets a place in the play-off tournament in March 2026, where 12 teams fight for three European places, plus an intercontinental play-off. Sweden is in Group B with Switzerland, Slovenia and Kosovo.
Betting on Sweden's chances has shifted considerably - some betting sites were giving odds of 2.50 for group victory before the qualifiers, but now it's over 10.00 with most, with the chance of finishing second under 20 per cent after the Kosovo match. For Switzerland away, a Swedish win gives odds of around 3.50, a draw around 3.20. A tip is to bet on under 2.5 goals against Slovenia, with odds of around 1.80, as both teams have had weak attacking play. If you like betting, you can bet on sports and casino and choose what you think about Sweden's chances.
Switzerland leads the group with nine points after three games, while Sweden has zero after losses to Slovenia (away, 1-2), Switzerland (home, 0-2) and Kosovo (home, 0-1). In the Kosovo game at Ullevi, Sweden created chances but lacked sharpness. With two games remaining: Switzerland away on 15 November and Slovenia at home on 18 November, the pressure is on to deliver.
The road to the World Cup
To have a chance, Sweden must win both remaining matches. A win against Switzerland away - a real challenge - and a win against Slovenia at home could be enough for second place. Slovenia have two points, Kosovo four, so six points would give Sweden a chance to overtake them. Viktor Gyökeres, the Sporting Lisbon star striker, will be crucial. He had several chances against Kosovo but couldn't put the ball in the net, and his form could make the difference. But even as group runners-up, a tough play-off awaits. Think of 2022, when Sweden fell to Poland in the play-off despite a strong group phase.
New national captain
Jon Dahl Tomasson was sacked after the Kosovo loss, where he failed to get the team going. He won just one of seven matches since taking over in March 2024. SvFF is now looking for a replacement ahead of the final qualifiers.
Graham Potter, who took Östersund to European football and coached Brighton in the Premier League, is a hot name. He is out of contract and interested. Olof Mellberg, former national team back and coach of Brommapojkarna, is seen as stable. Ole Gunnar Solskjær, with experience from Manchester United, is also mentioned. The federation wants someone ready soon, perhaps by November.
Sweden has a theoretical chance, but it needs to win, a sharp Gyökeres and a new coach who will quickly get the team in order. The 2026 World Cup has more places than before, but Sweden must do everything right now to make it happen.
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Fun Facts World Cup Sweden
Before Sweden dreams of the 2026 World Cup, it's worth looking back - to the moments that shaped the history of the Blues on the world's biggest stage. Few European nations have as colourful World Cup memories as Sweden, and some facts still raise eyebrows among fans.
- Sweden has participated in 11 World Championships, making its mark right from the start. Here are some of the most fascinating chapters and fun details from that history.
- Final dream 1958: Back home in Sweden, the team made history with their only World Cup final, where a young Pelé scored two goals against the Swedes in the final that Brazil won 5-2. Despite the loss, it is Sweden's most mythical moment.
- Bronze heroes 1950 and 1994: The bronze medal in Brazil in 1950 is the first major medal - but it's the 1994 World Cup in the USA that Swedes remember as one of the greatest adventures of all time. The team beat Bulgaria 4-0 in the bronze medal match, with Kennet Andersson scoring five goals during the tournament.
- The golden generation: The 1994 World Championship gave names like Larsson, Brolin and Dahlin cult status. The trio received the Radiosporten Jerring Prize and the Svenska Dagbladet Gold Medal the same year - even though Tre Kronor won the Olympic gold medal in ice hockey.
- From amateurs to professionals: At the 1950 World Cup, Sweden was not allowed to use its professional players from Italian AC Milan (the classic 'Gre-No-Li') because they wanted to stick to amateur rules - yet the team took bronze.
- Goal record: During the 1994 group stage, Sweden scored eight goals - more than any other team in the first phase of the tournament.
- World Cup in numbers: In total, Sweden has won three medals - silver in 1958, bronze in 1950 and 1994 - making them one of Europe's most successful football nations in World Cup history.
From Pele's tears in Stockholm to the cheers in Los Angeles, Swedish football has a unique tradition of surprise. The next time Sweden steps onto the World Cup stage, new stories await, but history shows one thing: Blue and yellow perform at their best when everything seems most difficult.
