Graham Potter named Sweden coach as World Cup hopes dim

When Graham Potter, 49, was announced as the new boss of the Swedish Football Association's men’s senior side on October 20, 2025, the reaction was part relief, part panic. The Swedes have only a single point from four opening matches in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Group B, and the clock is ticking toward a June‑July 2026 tournament in North America. Potter, fresh from a September dismissal at West Ham United, now has a short‑term contract that hinges entirely on getting Sweden to the finals.

Background: Sweden’s shaky qualifying start

Group B reads like a nightmare script for Sweden. After a 3‑0 loss to France on March 24, a 2‑2 draw with the Netherlands on June 9, a 1‑0 defeat to Greece on September 5, and a 2‑1 setback to Gibraltar on October 13, the team sits fifth with just one point. Historically, Sweden has been a World Cup regular – 12 appearances, a bronze in 1994, and a solid showing in 2018. Missing out would be only the second absence since 1994 and the first back‑to‑back miss since 1998.

Who is Graham Potter? A quick career recap

Potter’s résumé is a mixed bag of over‑achievement and recent disappointment. He burst onto the European scene in 2011 with Östersunds FK, taking the club from Sweden’s fourth tier to the All‑svenskan and even into the UEFA Europa League by 2017 – a feat no one expected.

From 2018 to 2022 he steered Swansea City in the English Championship, then moved to Chelsea in 2022. After a turbulent four‑year spell that ended with his sacking in May 2024, he resurfaced at West Ham United in July 2024, only to be dismissed on September 20, 2025. The rapid turnaround back to international management is unusual, but it mirrors his knack for taking on challenges that others deem too risky.

The appointment: What the Swedish FA said

In a press release posted on the FA’s website, football director Kim Hugo Kallström – a former 137‑cap international who retired in 2017 – praised Potter’s "leadership skills" and "tactical ability to create conditions to win matches." He added, "We are aware of the situation we are in and believe that with his leadership he will bring the team together in a good way. He can identify players' strengths and how they interact in the best way."

Potter’s own statement was matter‑of‑fact: "I am very humbled by the assignment, but also incredibly inspired. Sweden has fantastic players who deliver in the world's best leagues during the week. My job will be to create the conditions so that we as a team deliver at the highest level to take Sweden to the World Cup next summer." The quote appeared verbatim in both the Swedish FA’s release and an RTE (Raidió Teilifís Éireann) article, underscoring the consistency of the message.

What’s at stake? Qualification odds and upcoming fixtures

UEFA’s format means Sweden must finish in the top two of Group B or win a playoff. With only two games left in the November 2025 window – against Estonia on the 15th and Austria on the 18th – the margin for error is razor‑thin. A win and a draw would net four points, lifting the Swedes to five points; they would still need help from rivals like Greece or Gibraltar to slip past the Netherlands.

• Current standing: 1 point from 4 matches (5th place)
• Remaining qualifiers: Estonia (away), Austria (home)
• Points needed for realistic automatic qualification: at least 7 from the final 6 matches
• Contract clause: If Sweden qualify, Potter’s deal is automatically extended

For perspective, Sweden’s 1994 bronze‑medal squad needed just two wins in the final group stage to reach the semifinals. This time, the team faces a six‑match sprint that could determine whether a nation of 10 million watches football in the summer of 2026.

Expert and player reactions

Former national team midfielder Andreas Granqvist told a Swedish radio interview that Potter’s “possession‑based, fluid style” could suit the likes of Alexander Isak and Victor Edvardsen, but warned, “He has little time to instill his philosophy – the next match is a test.”

Sports analyst Emma Berglund of TV4 remarked, "Sweden’s issue isn’t talent; it’s cohesion. Potter’s previous work at Östersund proved he can build a united squad from disparate pieces. The question is whether he can replicate that under World Cup pressure."

Even rival coaches have taken note. France’s Didier Deschamps, when asked about Sweden’s prospects, said, "They have good players. If Potter can give them a clear game plan quickly, we’ll see a different Sweden on the pitch."

Looking ahead: Potential scenarios

There are three realistic paths forward:

1. Qualification boost: Sweden wins both November matches, picks up a draw against Greece, and finishes second. Potter’s contract is extended, and the nation celebrates a return to the World Cup after an eight‑year hiatus.
2. Playoff route: Sweden finishes third, drops into the UEFA playoff bracket, and faces a two‑legged tie against a lower‑ranked side. Success would still validate Potter’s appointment, though the pressure would be even higher.
3. Missed opportunity: The team fails to earn points in November, ending the campaign at the bottom of the group. Potter’s short‑term deal expires, and the Swedish FA must start again – potentially looking inward or to another foreign manager.

Regardless of the outcome, Potter’s return to Swedish football feels like a homecoming. His seven‑year stint at Östersund earned him a reputation for combining community spirit with tactical innovation – a blend that could resonate with a squad that’s currently more a collection of stars than a cohesive unit.

Key facts

• Appointment date: 20 Oct 2025
• Previous club: West Ham United (sacked 20 Sep 2025)
• Contract: Short‑term, contingent on World Cup qualification
• Sweden’s current group position: 5th, 1 point from 4 games
• Next fixtures: Estonia (15 Nov 2025), Austria (18 Nov 2025)