Alexander Isak made his return from injury as Sweden fell to a 4-1 loss against Switzerland on Saturday, leaving them bottom of their World Cup qualification group with a game left to play.Amie Wilson Central Audience Writer and Theo Squires Liverpool FC Writer
11:59, 16 Nov 2025Updated 12:27, 16 Nov 2025
Alexander Isak has suffered more disappointment on the national stage for Sweden. (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Alexander Isak’s aspirations of representing Sweden in next summer’s World Cup will now depend on a tricky playoff tie. The Swedes currently languishes at the bottom of qualification Group B, leaving them with just one remaining route to secure their place in North America next summer.
The squad, now under the leadership of ex-Chelsea and Brighton manager Graham Potter, suffered a 4-1 defeat against Switzerland on Saturday evening. This leaves them with a mere single point from their first five matches.
They return to the pitch on Tuesday for the final qualification match against Slovenia. However, the defeat against Switzerland means that Sweden enter this game knowing full well they have no chance of securing either the top automatic qualification spot or the second play-off position.
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Nevertheless, there remains a glimmer of hope for the nation to participate in the summer’s tournament. They can secure their spot through the UEFA Nations League.
Sweden achieved promotion in this tournament under the guidance of former manager Jon Dahl Tomasson As such, they hold a place in the World Cup play-offs by being one of the four best-performing teams in the Nations League, who are not guaranteed a play-off spot through World Cup qualifying. However, as a side in pot four they will face a playoff semi-final against a top seeded side away from home.
Despite boasting two of Europe’s most coveted strikers, in Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, their lacklustre performance in the World Cup qualifiers is surprising.
Arsenal snapped up Gyokeres from Sporting CP this summer, while Isak made a record-breaking £125million switch from Newcastle to Liverpool on deadline day.
Gyokeres is currently sidelined due to injury during the international break, whilst Isak is still regaining his fitness following a disrupted pre-season. Despite coming off the bench against Switzerland, the Liverpool striker was unable to turn the tide for his team.
Since his arrival at Anfield, Isak has struggled to find his footing. He’s yet to net his first Premier League goal, with his only goal so far coming in the Carabao Cup. He returned to Liverpool’s bench before the international break after being out injured for four matches.
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If they fail to participate in the summer’s World Cup, it will be a significant personal setback for both players, who aspire to perform on the world’s largest stage for their countries.
However, their clubs might view this as a positive, as it would provide them with additional time to rest and gear up for the 2026/27 Premier League season, rather than being in North America representing their nations.
And given the fact that Isak has been left playing catch-up following a disjointed pre-season at former club Newcastle United, having essentially gone on strike in a bid to force an exit, it would at least leave him in a better position ahead of the new campaign in contrast to last summer.