By Boluwatife Kehinde
Sweden have sacked head coach Jon Dahl Tomasson after a third consecutive defeat in World Cup qualifying marking the first time in the country’s history that a national team manager has been dismissed mid-campaign.
The decision, announced by the Swedish Football Association on Tuesday, follows a 1-0 home loss to Kosovo in Gothenburg that leaves Sweden bottom of Group B and in serious danger of missing the 2026 World Cup.
Kosovo’s winning goal came from Hoffenheim forward Fisnik Asllani, and despite Sweden starting Premier League duo Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak up front, the hosts failed to score for a third straight match.
Tomasson’s tenure lasted just eight months after his appointment in February 2024. The former Denmark international, who enjoyed a decorated playing career with AC Milan, Feyenoord, and Newcastle, struggled to impose a clear identity on the team. Despite having individual talent, Sweden looked toothless in attack and disjointed in midfield.
“There’s still a pathway to the playoffs in March,” said Simon Åström, president of the Swedish FA. “Our responsibility is to act decisively to give the team the best possible chance to turn things around.”
The pressure had been building after earlier defeats to Greece and Switzerland, both without a single goal scored. With just five group matches remaining, Sweden’s qualification hopes now hang by a thread.
The sacking represents a major shift in approach from the typically cautious Swedish FA, which has never previously dismissed a head coach during a qualifying campaign.
While Tomasson’s appointment was seen as a bold, forward-looking move, his short spell in charge failed to produce results. The team’s lack of urgency and attacking threat led to mounting frustration among fans and officials.
The search for a replacement is already underway, with the FA expected to appoint an interim manager before the next round of qualifiers in November.
With time running out and confidence shaken, Sweden face a massive task—not just to salvage their World Cup hopes, but to restore belief in a side that has lost its way.
