Warsaw – Sweden travels to Poland on Tuesday seeking a vital victory to secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After a 3-1 win against Ukraine in Valencia last week, Graham Potter’s side knows a win – or even a draw – against the Poles will send them to the tournament. The match carries significant weight for Swedish fans, who have watched their national team miss the last two major international championships.
Potter has named his starting eleven, with Kristoffer Nordfeldt in goal. The backline will consist of Daniel Svensson, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Carl Starfelt, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, and Gabriel Gudmundsson. Yasin Ayari and Jesper Karlström will anchor the midfield, while Anthony Elanga, Viktor Gyökeres, and Benjamin Nygren will lead the attack.
Notice a couple of changes from the team that defeated Ukraine. As expected, Carl Starfelt replaces the injured Isak Hien at center-back. More surprisingly, Daniel Svensson will start at right-back in place of Herman Johansson, who, according to Fotbollskanalen, has withdrawn from the squad. Both Johansson and Roony Bardghji are absent from the Swedish team.
Sweden is already dealing with several key absences due to long-term injuries, most notably those of Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski. Their absence presents a challenge for Potter, requiring adjustments to the attacking lineup and potentially altering Sweden’s overall tactical approach.
Nordfeldt Set to Start in Goal
Graham Potter has strongly indicated that Kristoffer Nordfeldt will start in goal for Sweden. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Potter stated there was a “extremely high chance” Nordfeldt would feature, going as far as to say it was “close to 100 percent.” This decision comes after Nordfeldt’s performance against Ukraine, and signals Potter’s confidence in the AIK goalkeeper.
Tactical Considerations and Polish Threat
Potter acknowledged the challenge posed by Poland, describing them as a “tough opponent” who collected a significant number of points in their qualifying group. He emphasized Poland’s “solid” structure and “individual quality,” anticipating a difficult match. A key focus for Sweden will be containing Robert Lewandowski, the Barcelona striker who has historically caused problems for the Swedish defense.
Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Sweden’s captain, echoed Potter’s sentiments, stating that the team will pay “extra attention” to Lewandowski while remaining aware of the threats posed by the entire Polish squad. Lindelöf’s experience and leadership will be crucial in organizing the defense and limiting Lewandowski’s impact.
Recent Form and Historical Context
Sweden’s victory over Ukraine provided a much-needed boost, setting up this crucial playoff final. However, the team’s recent history has been marked by disappointment, having failed to qualify for both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship. The pressure is on Potter and his team to break this cycle and return Sweden to the international stage.
The upcoming match also carries a degree of historical weight, as it comes four years after a painful qualifying defeat to Poland for the 2022 World Cup. While the players are attempting to avoid dwelling on past disappointments, the memory of that loss will undoubtedly add an extra layer of intensity to the encounter.
What’s Next for Sweden
Regardless of the outcome against Poland, this match marks a pivotal moment for Swedish football. A victory would not only secure a place at the 2026 World Cup but also provide a foundation for future success. A defeat, however, would prolong the nation’s wait to return to major international tournaments. Following the match, the focus will shift to analyzing the performance and planning for the future, with a potential rebuild of the squad depending on the results and the availability of key players.
The match in Warsaw is scheduled for Tuesday, March 31st. Fans can follow the game through various sports outlets for live updates and analysis.
