Is Alexander Isak Responsible for Sweden’s World Cup Qualifying Disaster
The Swedish national football team is facing a significant crisis in their qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup. As a result of their poor performance, the Swedish Football Association (SFA) made the unprecedented decision to fire head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson. This marks the first time in the history of the men’s national team that a manager has been relieved of their duties midway through a qualifying campaign.
Sweden’s World Cup Qualifying Disaster
Sweden currently sits at the bottom of Group B, having collected just one point from four matches. Their latest defeat came against Kosovo, a team ranked 99th in the world, where they lost 1-0. This outcome has essentially dashed their hopes of participation in the upcoming World Cup.
Campaign Overview
- Group B Standings:
| Team | Played (Pld) | Wins (W) | Draws (D) | Losses (L) | Goals For (GF) | Goals Against (GA) | Points (Pts) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 10 |
| Kosovo | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Slovenia | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Sweden | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 1 |
Tomasson’s departure comes after a lackluster start to the qualifiers. Sweden began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Slovenia. This was followed by a disappointing 2-0 loss to Kosovo, where despite dominating possession, Sweden failed to convert key opportunities.
The Role of Alexander Isak
Much of the scrutiny has fallen on star player Alexander Isak. Following a significant summer transfer to Liverpool, his focus has been questioned. Isak’s performance with the national team has not matched expectations, as he has only scored 12 competitive goals for Sweden. Critics argue that Isak’s individualistic approach may have contributed to the team’s struggles.
In the match against Switzerland, Isak hit the post and assisted a key opportunity, but his teammate failed to capitalize. Against Kosovo, he also produced a lackluster performance, which raised concerns about the team’s overall attacking potency. His partnership with Viktor Gyokeres has not flourished, with Gyokeres managing only two shots on target throughout the qualifiers.
Looking Ahead
The Swedish FA’s football director, Kim Kallstrom, stated that the federation needs a moment to reflect on their approach. As Sweden prepares for the next round of qualifiers, they must address the turmoil within the squad and find a way to revive their campaign. With only one point to show from four matches, the pathway to the World Cup appears increasingly bleak.
