Sweden’s 2026 World Cup qualification hopes suffered a major setback after a 2-0 home defeat to Switzerland left them bottom of Group B.
Sweden’s bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup took a heavy blow as they fell 2-0 to Switzerland in Stockholm on Friday night.
After a goalless first half at the Strawberry Arena, Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 65th minute following a foul by Alexander Bernhardsson on Sevilla’s Djibril Sow. Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi added a second deep into stoppage time when his shot deflected off Atalanta defender Isak Hien to seal the win for the visitors.
The result sparked frustration among Swedish supporters, with chants calling for manager Jon Dahl Tomasson’s resignation echoing around the stadium. Despite fielding Premier League duo Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak in attack, Sweden failed to record a single shot on target.
The defeat leaves Sweden anchored to the bottom of Group B with one point from three games, eight behind leaders Switzerland and three adrift of second-placed Kosovo, who visit Stockholm next Monday.
Sweden, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2018, also missed out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar, and their hopes of returning to football’s biggest stage are fading fast.