Stockholm, April 1, 2026 – The Europe Today: Viktor Gyökeres scored a dramatic late winner to send Sweden into the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Poland in their play-off final on Tuesday.
With the match level at 2-2, Gyökeres forced the ball over the line following a frantic goalmouth scramble with just two minutes remaining, sealing Sweden’s qualification for the tournament to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The decisive victory ensures Sweden’s return to football’s biggest stage after missing out on the 2022 edition, marking their first appearance in eight years under head coach Graham Potter.
“It’s indescribable to do it on home soil. We believed until the end, and that’s why we’re going to the World Cup,” said Gyökeres, who also netted a hat-trick in Sweden’s semi-final win over Ukraine.
Sweden will now join the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia in Group F of the global tournament.
Earlier in the match, Anthony Elanga opened the scoring with a stunning strike in the 20th minute, while Gustaf Lagerbielke restored Sweden’s lead just before halftime with a well-timed header.
Poland responded strongly through Nicola Zalewski and Karol Świderski, who each found the net to keep their side in contention.
Despite a strong showing from Poland, including efforts led by veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, the visitors were unable to find a decisive breakthrough.
Potter described the match as an emotional and unforgettable experience. “It was a dramatic game, so difficult to control the emotion and what’s at stake,” he said, calling it an “incredible honour” to be part of the occasion.
For Poland, coached by Jan Urban, the defeat marks their first failure to qualify for a World Cup finals since 2014. “It hurts, it hurts a lot,” Urban said after the match.
The encounter, played in front of a passionate home crowd in Stockholm, saw end-to-end action and momentum swings, but ultimately it was Sweden who held their nerve to secure a memorable qualification victory.
As the final whistle blew, jubilant scenes unfolded across the stadium, with players and fans celebrating a hard-fought return to the world stage.
