Sweden's World Cup qualifying campaign is in disaster, leaving them bottom of Group B with one point from four games and unlikely to reach the 2026 tournament. Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson is on the brink of being sacked mid-qualifiers, a first for the Swedish men's national team, following a series of poor results including a 2-0 loss to Kosovo and a 2-0 defeat to Switzerland. These results are compounded by a 2-2 draw with Slovenia.
Tomasson has faced criticism for his tactical decisions, including his formation and an unusual late announcement of the starting lineup to his own players, leading to confusion and suboptimal positioning. He has also hinted at pressure from the Swedish FA regarding the style of play. The FA has denied directing him to prioritize a specific style over winning matches.
A significant factor contributing to the campaign's failure is the perceived impact of star player Alexander Isak's summer transfer saga. His protracted move to Liverpool reportedly distracted him, affecting his preparation and performance for crucial qualifying matches. Isak has not scored in the qualifying group and missed a key chance in one game, leading to questions about his commitment and form for the national team compared to his club performances.
Other contributing factors include defensive frailties, a lack of leadership in defense since Andreas Granqvist's departure, ... download the app to read more
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