The Swedish national soccer team is in danger of missing the 2026 World Cup. This development cost coach Jon Dahl Tomasson his job.
The Danish coach was released by the association on Tuesday in response to the 1-0 qualifying defeat against Kosovo. A successor for the former Bundesliga striker was not initially named.
Tomasson have “did not achieve the expected results”said association head Simon Aström and pointed out that Sweden had to preserve its hopes of participating in the World Cup via the detour of the playoffs. Association director Kim Källström added: “We believe this team can make it to the World Cup”albeit under different, new leadership.
He called the separation from Tomasson “sad”. Sweden is last in Group B with one point from four games behind Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia and only has a theoretical chance of second place, which would be enough for the playoffs in March.
Only their performance in the Nations League gives Sweden hope
The latest defeat, Tomasson’s seventh in 18 international matches on the Swedish bench, was “perhaps the worst thing Swedish football has ever experienced,” the press said. Once again the fans acknowledged the lifeless performance with whistles. In addition, a banner read “JDT out” – including an insult.
Sweden has class players like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres. However, a loophole to participate in the 13th World Cup could still open up if Sweden comes third or fourth in its qualifying group: As one of the group winners in the Nations League, Sweden would also reach the playoffs if six other first-place teams regularly qualify for the final round.