Sweden’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a serious hit following a 2–0 home defeat to Switzerland in Stockholm.
The breakthrough came in the 65th minute when Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka converted from the penalty spot after Sevilla’s Djibril Sow was brought down in the box by Alexander Bernhardsson.
Switzerland sealed the win deep into stoppage time as Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi saw his shot deflect off Atalanta defender Isak Hien and into the net in the 94th minute.
The result sparked frustration among Swedish fans, with sections of the home crowd calling for head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson to resign.
Chants rang out at full-time, expressing dissatisfaction with the former Blackburn Rovers manager.
Despite fielding a strong attacking duo of Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres and Liverpool’s Alexander Isak, Sweden failed to register a single shot on target throughout the match.
The defeat leaves Sweden bottom of Group B with just one point from three games — eight behind group leaders Switzerland.
Kosovo, who currently occupy the play-off spot with four points, will visit Sweden in their next qualifier on October 13.
After reaching the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Sweden missed out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar — and now face the risk of another failed qualification campaign.
