World Cup 2026: Can Sweden Overcome Their Slow Start?

Sweden vs Switzerland

Sweden are off to a lackluster start in the ongoing World Cup 2026 qualifiers, as they have only one point in their first two matches. As a result, Jon Dahl Tomasson’s men are third in Group B and are level with fourth-seeded Slovenia. The Blagult must make a run now before time runs out.

On Friday, they will host Switzerland at the Friends Arena in Solna, hoping to get their first victory. However, it’ll be easier said than done because Switzerland are the top seed in Group B with six points, following consecutive wins against Kosovo (4-0) and Slovenia (3-0).

The top seed in each group will qualify directly for next year’s showpiece event, while the second seed will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs, and the last two seeds will bow out from the qualifiers. Every match and point counts, so both teams should play with a sense of urgency.

 

Talking Points

Sweden have a stacked frontline

Head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson may be optimistic ahead of the Switzerland match because they boast one of the best attacking units in Europe right now, with three of their star attackers starting for Premier League sides.

Alexander Isak moved to Liverpool during the summer transfer window for a massive transfer fee. Anthony Elanga also moved to Newcastle United, and Viktor Gyokeres joined Arsenal, becoming their de facto No. 9, and won the Gerd Müller trophy for his exploits at Sporting last season. 

​Isak and Elanga have yet to score for their new teams this term, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. On the other hand, Gyokeres already has three Premier League goals, with a brace against Leeds United and one against Nottingham Forest.

Tomasson typically deploys a 3-5-2 formation, so we expect Gyokeres and Elanga to start up front, with Hugo Larsson, Yasin Ayari, and Lucas Bergvall providing support from midfield. Isak will likely come off the bench due to fitness concerns, as he has been in and out of Liverpool’s starting XI.

Captain Victor Lindelof, Daniel Svensson, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Emil Holm, Hjalmar Ekdal, and Isak Hien will man the backline, and the team must figure out who will replace the retired Robin Olsen at the goalkeeper spot.

 

Switzerland plan to stretch undefeated run

Switzerland won their first two matches against Kosovo and Slovenia, and their usual suspects have done their damage. Rennes forward Breel Embolo scored three goals, while Manuel Akanji, Silvan Widmer, Nico Elvedi, and Dan Ndoye had one goal apiece.

The Red Crosses have been steady under head coach Murat Yakin, so they’re not keen on making drastic changes. Much of their squad from the past tournaments (Nations League and Euro 2024) is still there, with Ruben Vargas joining Embolo and Ndoye up front, Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler, Denis Zakaria, and Michel Aebischer operating in the middle of the park, and Ricardo Rodriguez joining Elvedi, Widmer, and Akanji at the back. Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel is the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.

 

History

Sweden and Switzerland last faced off in the 2018 World Cup Round of 16, where the former won 1-0 through Emil Forsberg’s 66th-minute goal. The Blagult have the edge in the overall head-to-heads against the Red Crosses with 11 wins, seven draws, and 10 losses. Sweden are also undefeated in their last four in this particular matchup (W2, D2).

Sweden failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, so they’re planning to make amends this time. Their best finish in the quadrennial tournament was third in the 1994 edition.

On the other hand, Switzerland qualified for the 2022 World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16, losing 6-1 to Portugal. The Red Crosses have never advanced past the quarter-finals in the showpiece event.

 

Betting Tip

The World Cup 2026 odds expect a close fight between Sweden and Switzerland, despite their gap in the Group B standings. Because they’re playing at home, Sweden have a slight edge at 2.28, with Switzerland not far behind at 2.85, and a draw is at 3.20 in the 1X2 market.

Both nations can put up new World Cup 2026 highlights this weekend due to their collective firepower. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP bettors can also add options like Over 2.25 at 1.70 and Over 2.50 at 1.91 to the parlay. However, if you feel this is a low-scoring affair, check out the Correct Score of 1-0 in favour of Sweden – the result of their last meeting – as it is on offer at 9.20.

   

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