An oddity in World Cup qualifying is allowing one country to still reach the finals without winning a single game.
World Cup qualifying is reaching a conclusion, with countries experiencing joy – or heartbreak.
For one country, their complete and abject failure is being rewarded with a second chance they do not really deserve.
One of the players in with an undeserved second chance is the captain of his country, former Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof.
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Sweden’s second chance
Victor Lindelof’s Sweden played six World Cup qualifying games, and failed to win a single one.
They finished bottom of the group with only two points. Switzerland won the group with 14 in total, with Kosovo entering the playoffs after finishing second.
But remarkably, Sweden are also set to enter the playoffs, despite their appalling group record.
Sweden were one of four teams who qualified for the playoffs because of their performances in the UEFA Nations League, where they won promotion from their group.
📊 UEFA World Cup Qualifying Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland 🇨🇭 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +12 | 14 |
| 2 | Kosovo 🇽🇰 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 11 |
| 3 | Slovenia 🇸🇮 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | -5 | 4 |
| 4 | Sweden 🇸🇪 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | -8 | 2 |
Qualification Summary:
- **Switzerland**: Qualified directly for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Group Winner).
- **Kosovo**: Advance to the play-offs (Group Runner-up).
- **Sweden**: Advance to the play-offs (via UEFA Nations League ranking).
- **Slovenia**: Eliminated.
Victor Lindelof played for Manchester United between 2017 and 2024, and he has been the Sweden captain since 2021.
And he has had to take his fair share of criticism for his country’s poor performances.
Speaking to Fotboll Skanalen, he accepted the jeering from their home fans: “It was their way of showing that they were disappointed.
“They want us to perform and win. All of us, players and fans, have high demands and that’s how it should be in the national team.”
🏆 UEFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Teams
| Route | Team | Route | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Runners-Up | 🇮🇹 Italy | Nations League | 🇷🇴 Romania |
| Group Runners-Up | 🇩🇰 Denmark | Nations League | 🇸🇪 Sweden |
| Group Runners-Up | 🇹🇷 Türkiye | Nations League | ☘️ Northern Ireland |
| Group Runners-Up | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | Nations League | 🇲🇰 North Macedonia |
| Group Runners-Up | 🇵🇱 Poland | ||
| Group Runners-Up | 🏴 Wales | ||
| Group Runners-Up | 🇨🇿 Czechia | ||
| Group Runners-Up | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | ||
| Group Runners-Up | 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland | ||
| Group Runners-Up | 🇦🇱 Albania | ||
| Group Runners-Up | 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina | ||
| Group Runners-Up | 🇽🇰 Kosovo |
Play-off Structure:
The 16 teams are split into four play-off paths, each consisting of single-leg semi-finals and one final. The four winners of these paths will secure the final European spots for the 2026 World Cup.
With the most expensive striker in world football, Alexander Isak, Sweden are desperate to book their place at World Cup 2026.
Former United winger Anthony Elanga is also hoping to make the tournament, after the nation missed out on Qatar 2022.
Lindelof, 31, played for Sweden at World Cup 2018. But this could be his last chance to make another tournament.
The draw for the playoffs will be November 20, with the games set to take place in March 2026.
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