Sweden’s World Cup Dreams Crumble After Kosovo Defeat

Sweden’s glittering array of attacking talent has failed to prevent another embarrassing defeat, this time falling 1-0 to Kosovo at home in Stockholm on Monday night. The result leaves the Scandinavian nation rooted to the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group with just one point from four matches.

Despite fielding a formidable strike force including Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres—collectively valued at nearly £200 million—Sweden has managed only two goals throughout their entire qualifying campaign while conceding seven. Kosovo’s Fisnik Asllani scored the decisive first-half goal, completing a qualifying double over their hosts.

Growing Discord in the Swedish Camp

The atmosphere within the Sweden setup has reportedly turned toxic following the latest setback. Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga, who was omitted from both qualifiers this international break, couldn’t hide his frustration after the match. Swedish outlet Radiosporten claims Elanga declared in the tunnel: “The damn system must go.”

Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson faces mounting pressure as confidence in his leadership wavers among key players. The 49-year-old’s peculiar decision to announce his starting lineup just one hour before kick-off—allegedly to prevent media leaks—has left squad members including Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall bewildered.

World Cup Dreams Hanging by a Thread

With their World Cup qualification now in serious jeopardy, Sweden must regroup quickly or face the prospect of missing next summer’s tournament. The nation’s failure to capitalize on their attacking riches has become a source of national disappointment, with both tactical approach and team morale under intense scrutiny as the qualifying campaign reaches its critical phase.