Gyokeres credits Sweden’s unity for World Cup return
Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres believes the national team has demonstrated its quality after overcoming a difficult period to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The forward played a decisive role in Sweden’s successful play-off campaign, helping the Scandinavian nation book its place at football’s biggest tournament after a disappointing qualifying run.
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Although Gyokeres failed to score during Sweden’s Group B World Cup qualifiers, he emerged as the country’s most influential player when it mattered most. His contributions in the UEFA Nations League and the subsequent play-offs proved vital in keeping Sweden’s World Cup dream alive.
The prolific attacker enjoyed a remarkable Nations League campaign in 2024, scoring nine goals in six matches. Among those strikes was a four-goal masterclass during a dominant 6-0 victory over Azerbaijan, helping Sweden earn promotion to League B.
However, Sweden’s fortunes changed dramatically during the 2025 World Cup qualifiers. The team endured a frustrating campaign, collecting only two points and finding the net just four times as they finished at the bottom of their group.
Alternative qualification route
Fortunately for the Blågult, their Nations League achievements provided an alternative route to qualification. Sweden secured one of the play-off spots reserved for the highest-ranked Nations League group winners who had failed to finish in the top two of their qualifying groups, joining Northern Ireland, North Macedonia and Romania in receiving a second opportunity.
Gyokeres seized that opportunity in spectacular fashion. He ended Sweden’s lengthy scoring struggles by netting a hat-trick against Ukraine in the play-off semi-final before delivering an 88th-minute winner in a dramatic 3-2 triumph over Poland in the final.
Reflecting on the decisive goal, the striker said: “I feel incredible, (I feel) proud. It’s a lot of emotions to take in. I’m grateful and I’m really pleased for myself and for the team that we finally made it to the World Cup. It’s one of the most important goals I’ve ever scored in my career, if not the most important.
“It was a mix of everything, all kinds of emotions and it was, of course, a lot to take in. But I think it’s great to have those kind of games in your career, and to be able to be in the position to play those is amazing. To then do it out on the pitch and to win the game is incredible. To help the team the way I did now in these two games is a boost for me and for the team.”
Potter’s influence
Sweden’s turnaround began shortly after Graham Potter was appointed head coach in October. Potter had previously worked with Gyokeres during his spell at Brighton, and the striker believes the English tactician has transformed the atmosphere within the squad.
Speaking about Potter’s influence, Gyokeres explained: “I think he’s brought a lot of good energy into the group. The importance of having that connection in the team and in the group both on the pitch and outside (can’t be understated). And then (he’s said to) stick to the game plan we have and how we want to play football, enjoy playing for Sweden and realise how much it means for us as players and the whole country.”
The qualification success marks a dramatic shift in fortunes for Swedish football. Just over a year ago, Sweden suffered a surprise defeat to Luxembourg and endured a six-match winless streak in competitive fixtures. Since then, they have defeated stronger opposition and secured a return to the World Cup for the first time since the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Gyokeres believes patience was needed as a new generation of players settled into the national team setup.
“We always knew that we had a great team with great players,” he said. “I think we were be a bit unlucky in some games with the results, and then I think the last couple of years we have changed a lot of players, and a lot of new players have come into the team, so sometimes it can take time to get that together. And now we’ve played a few games together and I think we have that connection with each other, and that’s what we’ve done on the pitch now, and we’ve definitely showed that we are a great team.”
With confidence restored, Sweden will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup believing they can build on their recent resurgence and compete strongly on the global stage.
