Sweden's men's national football team has been drawn in Nations League B-division Group B4 with Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania. The matches are scheduled for autumn 2026, but head coach Graham Potter is primarily focused on the upcoming World Cup playoff against Ukraine on March 26. Several key players are dealing with injuries ahead of the playoff.
The UEFA Nations League draw took place in Brussels on Thursday evening, placing Sweden, winners of League C in 2024, in League B Group B4. The opponents are Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Romania. The matches are scheduled during the international windows from September 21 to October 6 and November 9 to 17, 2026.
Head coach Graham Potter described the group as challenging. "Exciting. We meet very tough teams," he said at a press conference. "We meet tough teams. All are good football teams and big football nations," he added. Potter emphasized, however, that his focus is on the upcoming World Cup playoff against Ukraine on March 26. A win there leads to the final on March 31 against the winner between Poland and Albania. "I don't have much focus on that if I'm honest. I have full focus on March and the playoff," Potter said.
Several Swedish stars are injured ahead of the playoff. Dejan Kulusevski and Alexander Isak have serious injuries and are racing against time. "I hope but they have two difficult injuries, it's tough to come back by March," Potter commented. He noted that the players are optimistic and undergoing good rehabilitation with their clubs, but their availability remains uncertain. Midfielder Lucas Bergvall and goalkeeper Viktor Johansson also have injury issues. "It's part of a football coach's life. For me, it's important to focus and control what I can," Potter said about the challenges.
Potter's contract extends only until a possible World Cup this summer. "I'm open to everything. No doors are closed. But it's important that we focus on March and try to qualify for the World Cup," he expressed.
