Sweden lost their third defeat in four qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup against Kosovo on Monday. Finishing last in Group B, they will have to hope for a combination of circumstances to reach the play-offs. Meanwhile, group leaders Switzerland dropped their first points against Slovenia.

Sweden's nightmarish week continued. Having fallen 2-0 to Switzerland three days earlier, they were unable to bounce back on Monday against Kosovo (0-1). With one point from a possible 12 (1 draw, 3 losses), the Swedes sit last in Group B of the European qualifiers. They will need to win their final two matches and improve their goal difference, currently at -5, to hope to reach the play-offs.

After a decent start to the match, Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and their teammates finally gave in after half an hour, allowing Fisnik Asllani to open the scoring (32nd, 0-1). The Kosovars were even close to breaking the deadlock a few minutes later, but goalkeeper Viktor Johansson was saved by his post (43rd). In the second half, the yellow attacks multiplied but were too clumsy, as they only hit the target with 4 of their 13 attempts.

Switzerland has stalled

By winning their first three qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup, Switzerland had largely affirmed their status in Group B. On Monday evening, they let their first points slip away, failing to break Slovenia (0-0) in Ljubljana.

Yet Murat Yakin's side looked very similar to previous matches: the presence of Djibril Sow in place of Fabian Rieder was the only change to the starting eleven for the Nati in their first three qualifying matches. Despite a few late attempts from Benjamin Sesko (71st minute) for the Slovenian side and Johan Manzambi (82nd minute) for the Swiss side, the nets never trembled at Stadion Stozice.

If Kosovo fails to win the next matchday and Switzerland beats Sweden (November 15, 8:45 p.m.), then the Swiss will secure their place in the World Cup.