Sweden's 1-0 defeat to Kosovo on Monday night wasn't just a loss; it was the final, devastating blow to a 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign that has been nothing short of a disaster.
With just one point from four matches and rooted to the bottom of Group B, the previously unthinkable is now the stark reality:
Sweden, with a host of talented players, is staring down the barrel of missing their third consecutive World Cup finals.
A tactical system in tatters
Under head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, Sweden was meant to play an ambitious, possession-based style of football. Instead, what has been on display is a broken system defined by a disastrous defensive setup and a toothless attack.
Defensive vulnerabilities: Kosovo—ranked 59 places below Sweden—ruthlessly exposed the tactical flaws in the Swedish defense, particularly in September's 2-0 loss. A high defensive line leaves gaping holes that have been punished by opposition counters.
Star strikers silenced: Sweden's attacking prowess, headlined by Premier League stars Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres, has gone strangely quiet. Against Kosovo, despite controlling possession, Sweden struggled to create meaningful chances.Sweden will need a 𝙈𝙄𝙍𝘼𝘾𝙇𝙀 to qualify for the 2026 World Cup 😳🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/wB75feRlec
— LiveScore (@livescore) October 13, 2025
Isak was twice denied by a stunning save from goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.
The anatomy of a humiliation: In the latest loss, Kosovo’s Fisnik Asllani exploited defensive confusion to score the decisive goal in the 32nd minute.
In a moment that summed up Sweden's campaign, Tomasson himself admitted, "We forgot how to score goals and I don't know why".
Boos, anger, and betrayal
The mood among players, staff, and supporters is toxic. Fans have been booing the team, and there are growing calls for Tomasson to resign.
After Monday’s defeat, players like Isak expressed anger and disappointment, with one journalist declaring the performance a "betrayal".
The Swedish press has been scathing, with headlines like "Sweden's huge fiasco" and phrases like "loss of dignity" dominating the coverage.
What happens now?
While direct qualification is gone and a play-off spot through the group is practically impossible, a slim chance remains.
Sweden could secure a play-off berth by winning their UEFA Nations League group. For now, though, the focus shifts from a dream to a desperate salvage operation as the post-mortem of a failed qualifying campaign gets underway.