Isak, Gyokeres could miss World Cup: Sweden coach fired in historic first

Tom Weber

• 14 Oct 2025 12:02 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Sweden boast two of the best strikers in world football in Alexander Isak of Liverpool and Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal, yet they are at risk of missing out on the expanded World Cup in 2026.

The Swedish national team has been in dire straits in recent international fixtures, and they currently find themselves rooted to the bottom of Group B in World Cup qualifying.

Sweden have, incredibly, drawn one and lost three out of their four games in a group with Switzerland, Slovenia and Kosovo. On Monday, they were defeated by Kosovo for a second time after a goal from in-form Hoffenheim forward Fisnik Asllani.

On paper, Sweden should have no problem scoring goals as they have Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres leading the attack, yet the team have failed to find the back of the net in three of their four matches. Their only goals came in a 2-2 draw with Slovenia.

Neither the Liverpool forward nor his Arsenal compatriot have managed to strike yet. Unsurprisingly, the 1-0 loss to Kosovo has cost head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson his job. It is the first time that the Swedish FA has had to sack a manager.

Swedish media outraged by collective failure

The criticism of the national team has been ruthless in the Swedish press, although Isak has got off somewhat lightly compared to Gyokeres because he at least tried to make things happen against Kosovo.

Most of the blame, however, has been put at the feet of Dahl Tomasson rather than individual players, as Sweden's performances in recent games have been collective failures on a monumental scale. "The players look completely broken," Expressen wrote after Monday's shock loss.

"The experience must be traumatising for them too. Of course, there is also justified criticism of their efforts, but at the same time, it is incomprehensible how one can imagine that we are seeing a collective collapse of attitudes."

Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg described the game against Kosovo as a "complete disaster" during punditry. Sportsbladet journalist Erik Niva thundered that Sweden's situation hasn't been this dire in "40 years," while Fotbollskanalen called it a "fiasco."

"Sweden needed Viktor at his best for this crucial World Cup qualifying match. But he didn't have it in decisive moments," the latter publication wrote about Gyokeres. It was a similar sentiment for Isak, "a star player that Sweden needs more from."

The country can still qualify for the World Cup if they make it into the playoffs, but it is understandably all doom and gloom right now. Interestingly, Graham Potter, formerly in charge of Ostersunds and recently sacked by West Ham, has admitted that he would be honoured to lead Sweden.

"I just heard the news [about Dahl Tomasson]," he told Fotbollskanalen. "It's sad, of course, for Swedish football and JDT. But yes [I would be interested]. I'm actually in Sweden right now, in my house in Sweden.

"I'm between jobs and just left the Premier League. I'm open to anything, really, where I feel I can help. The job as national team coach for Sweden would be fantastic.

"I have feelings for Sweden. I love the country and I love Swedish football. I have a lot to be grateful for towards Swedish football. So yes, it would be a fantastic opportunity for me. Of course."

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