It was another night to forget for Sweden’s men’s national team, who are now facing a serious crisis both on and off the pitch.
What was supposed to be a comfortable home fixture against Kosovo turned into an embarrassing defeat — and the aftermath revealed just how fractured things have become inside the Swedish camp.
Another Painful Defeat for a Star-Studded Squad
Despite having big-name players like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres leading the attack — a duo worth nearly £200 million combined — Sweden once again failed to deliver.
After four World Cup qualifying matches, they’ve collected just a single point and remain rooted to the bottom of their group.
The team has managed only two goals throughout the campaign while conceding seven.
Monday night’s 1–0 loss in Stockholm, courtesy of Fisnik Asllani’s first-half strike, summed up their struggles.
Kosovo, often considered European underdogs, completed a stunning double over the Swedes and climbed to second place in the standings.
Dressing Room Tensions Hit Boiling Point
As frustration mounted, tempers flared within the Swedish camp.
Reports from local media described the atmosphere as “toxic” after the final whistle, with players openly questioning the direction of the team under manager Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Tomasson, who is already under growing pressure, is believed to have lost the confidence of several senior players.
Among them is Newcastle United winger Anthony Elanga, who didn’t feature in either of the team’s recent qualifiers.
According to Swedish outlet Radiosporten, Elanga was overheard venting his anger in the tunnel, shouting, “The damn system must go!”
Elanga’s Frustration Spills Into the Open
Later speaking to reporters, Elanga was more composed but made it clear that something isn’t working.
“We’ve trained on a system, on how we’re supposed to play,” he said.
“But when you’re on the field, it doesn’t always look like that. We, the players, have to take responsibility too.”
His comments captured the wider sentiment among the squad — a sense that the tactics aren’t translating into results, and that faith in the manager’s vision is slipping away fast.
Confusion Over Tomasson’s Tactics and Secrecy
As if the performance itself wasn’t bad enough, Tomasson’s unusual pre-match decisions left players scratching their heads.
In a move meant to prevent team leaks, he only announced the starting lineup one hour before kick-off.
Tottenham’s teenage sensation Lucas Bergvall admitted the approach caught some off guard.
“It’s happened once or twice in my career,” he said.
“It doesn’t really affect me much, but I can’t speak for everyone else.”
Bergvall, who has become a regular starter under Thomas Frank at Tottenham, was substituted at halftime during the match. When asked if he was injured, the 19-year-old clarified:
“I was completely healthy.
I haven’t been given an explanation, but you have to respect the decision.”
Missed Chances and a Manager Under Fire
Sweden’s star striker Alexander Isak came agonizingly close to rescuing a point late on.
He forced Kosovo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric into a brilliant stoppage-time save after his powerful header seemed destined for the net.
But when the final whistle blew, the reality was clear — Sweden had hit rock bottom.
In his post-match press conference, a visibly deflated Tomasson admitted his side has “forgotten how to score goals.”
“I have a contract with the Swedish federation, and we’re still in the middle of qualifying,” he said, brushing off questions about resignation. “Of course, it’s not good enough — it’s a terrible result.
It really hurts. We’ve forgotten how to score, and I don’t know why.”
A Slim Chance of Redemption
Sweden now faces a near-impossible task to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
With only two qualifiers remaining — against Switzerland and Slovenia — they must win both and hope other results go their way to even have a shot at a playoff spot.
For a nation once known for its grit and consistency on the global stage, the current situation is nothing short of alarming.
The question now is whether Jon Dahl Tomasson can steady the ship — or if this humiliating defeat marks the beginning of the end for his tenure in charge of Sweden.