Sweden announce squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland & Kosovo; Viktor Gyokeres called up

The Blue-Yellow have only one point in their 2026 World Cup qualifier games so far.

In preparation for Sweden’s pivotal 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Switzerland and Kosovo, Jon Dahl Tomasson has called up 19-year-old FC Barcelona winger Roony Bardghji for the first time.

Since joining Hansi Flick’s Barcelona team from FC Copenhagen in the summer, Bardghji, who has 11 caps at the Under-21 level, has made two starts and one cameo off the bench in LaLiga. Tomasson described how the teenager has impressed him.

The right-winger, who was born in Kuwait and attended the Malmo academy before moving to Denmark, now has the opportunity to establish himself with the Sweden supporters. His national football team is in dire need of points after a dismal September international window.

Blagult lost to Kosovo after giving up a late equaliser in their first match against Slovenia, dropping them to third place in the four-team Group B, five points behind leaders Switzerland.

If Sweden want to have any chance of winning the group, they must get all six points from their home games against the Swiss on Friday, the 10th, and Kosovo on Monday, the 13th.

Since experienced goalie Robin Olsen left the national team because he doesn’t want to work with Tomasson, a lot of attention has been on who hasn’t been picked in the Sweden squad.

Sweden squad for the October international break

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson (Stoke City), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK), Noel Tornqvist (Mjällby).

Defenders: Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds United), Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Isak Hien (Atalanta), Emil Holm (Bologna), Carl Starfelt (Celta de Vigo), Victor Lindelof (Aston Villa), Ken Sema (Pafos), Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund), Gustaf Lagerbielke (Braga).

Midfielders: Yasin Ayari (Brighton & Hove Albion), Roony Bardghji (Barcelona), Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel), Jesper Karlstrom (Udinese), Hugo Larsson (Eintracht Frankfurt), Anton Saletros (AIK), Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham), Niclas Eliasson (AEK Athens). 

Forwards: Anthony Elanga (Newcastle United), Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal), Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Jordan Larsson (Copenhagen), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic).

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