Alex MacQuoid
Sweden part ways with coach Jon Dahl Tomasson after rocky qualifying start
Sweden have dismissed manager Jon Dahl Tomasson after a disappointing start to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The team sit bottom of Group B with one point from four games following a 1-0 defeat against Kosovo on Monday.
Despite fielding a forward line featuring Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal, Sweden have struggled for goals. They drew with Slovenia and lost to Kosovo and Switzerland in their opening three group fixtures, then fell again to Kosovo.
Tomasson, a former Blackburn Rovers manager who also played for Newcastle United during his playing career, was appointed in February 2024. He became Sweden’s first foreign coach when the ex-Denmark striker took charge.
“The decision is based on the fact the men’s national team has not delivered the results we hoped for,” said Swedish Football Association chairman Simon Astrom. “There is still a chance of a play-off in March and our responsibility is to ensure we have as optimal conditions as possible to be able to reach a World Cup play-off. In this, we assess that a new leadership is required in the form of a new coach.”
Sweden now head to Switzerland then host Slovenia in their final two qualifiers as they try to close the gap on second-placed Kosovo, who sit on seven points in Group B.
The Swedish FA will begin the search for a new coach with the immediate aim of maximising Sweden’s chances of reaching the March play-off.