What’s behind it
Despite last place: Country qualifies for World Cup playoffs
Updated 11/15/2025 – 5:05 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Sweden has lost three of four games so far in World Cup qualifying. A direct ticket to the World Cup is no longer available. Nevertheless, the Scandinavians could be there.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the World Cup qualification is Sweden. Despite well-known stars such as Alexander Isak (Liverpool FC), Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal FC) and Hugo Larsson (Eintracht Frankfurt), the Scandinavians are last in Group B after four games. Sweden lost both the first and second legs against Kosovo, and also lost the home game against Switzerland. Sweden only scored against Slovenia, drawing 2-2. It was also the only game in which the Northern Europeans were successful in front of goal. Coach Jon Dahl Tomasson had to leave.
Direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico is no longer possible given that they are nine points behind Switzerland with two games remaining. And second place is also difficult to achieve. Sweden would have to win both in Switzerland and against Slovenia, while Kosovo would have to lose both games. But even if Sweden no longer finishes second, the nation will still be in the playoffs in March. How can that be?
The reason for this is a rule related to the Nations League. Not only the twelve runners-up in the group take part in the playoffs, but also the four best group winners from the previous Nations League season who did not finish first or second in the group in the World Cup qualification.
In League A, Spain, Germany, Portugal and France came first. All four teams are guaranteed at least second place in the World Cup qualification.
In League B, England, Norway, Wales and the Czech Republic prevailed. England won their World Cup qualifying group and Norway will most likely do the same. The Czech Republic is second in Group L. Only Wales could miss out on first or second place.
Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia and Northern Ireland won in League C. Since Wales is competing with North Macedonia for second place in Group J in the World Cup qualifiers, the other teams have secured their ticket to the playoffs – and so does Sweden, despite their disappointing performances.