Sweden announce squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland & Slovenia; Viktor Gyokeres left out

The Swedes appointed Graham Potter as their new manager after mid-October.

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres was forced out due to injury. Meanwhile, new Sweden manager Graham Potter picked up Liverpool attacker Alexander Isak on Wednesday for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month.

Potter, a 50-year-old former manager of West Ham United, took over as Sweden’s coach last month. His job is to turn around the team’s struggling 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.

With one point after four games, Sweden are at the bottom of Group B. While they cannot directly qualify, they have a remote chance of earning a playoff spot if things go their way.

Isak, who moved to Liverpool for 125 million pounds ($167.76 million) in September, hasn’t featured since a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt for the Reds. A groin injury has kept him out of the Liverpool’s last four games in all competitions.

Lucas Bergvall, a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, was also doubtful due to a concussion. However, Potter stated that both players are available.

“As things stand right now, they are available. Lucas has had a concussion, but hopefully he can be there when it’s time for us to play,” Potter said.

“Alex can hopefully play a bit this weekend and will be in Spain on Monday.”

The team will meet in Marbella, Spain, and then travel to Switzerland for their first match on November 15 against the leaders of the group. Three days later, they will play Slovenia.

Gyokeres, meanwhile, is unavailable after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that the 27-year-old was unable to play in Tuesday’s Champions League triumph against Slavia Prague due to muscular problems.

Sweden squad for the November international break

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Noel Törnqvist, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom

Defenders: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Isak Hien, Emil Holm, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Victor Lindelof, Ken Sema, Carl Starfelt, Daniel Svensson

Midfielders: Taha Ali, Yasin Ayari, Jesper Karlstrom, Hugo Larsson, Mattias Svanberg, Besfort Zeneli

Forwards: Roony Bardghji, Lucas Bergvall, Alexander Bernhardsson, Anthony Elanga, Alexander Isak, Isac Lidberg, Gustav Lundgren, Benjamin Nygren

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