Gyokeres’ late goal helps Sweden qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite finishing last in the qualifiers

Viktor Gyokeres put away an 88th-minute winner on Tuesday as Sweden beat Poland 3-2 in a frenetic World Cup qualifying play-off final, booking his ticket to the tournament and extending Poland’s remarkable winning streak on Swedish soil.

The result gave Sweden a first World Cup appearance since 2018 after failing to qualify four years ago, and continued Poland’s barren run in Sweden, with the visitors failing to secure a victory in the country since 1930.

Anthony Elanga’s opener for Sweden was canceled out by Nicola Zalewski’s equalizer, but Gustaf Lagerbielke’s strike in the 44th minute restored the hosts’ advantage and saw them go into half-time ahead.

Despite Karol Swiderski leveling the score for the visitors shortly after the break, Gyokeres took advantage of a late goal to fire home the winner.

«To do it on home soil is indescribable. We believed in it until the end and that is why we are participating in the World Cup. Regardless of whether you get a lot of balls or not, you try to be connected and present,» Gyokeres said. Viaplay.

The result earned Sweden a place in Group F for this year’s World Cup, alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia. It also overturned the outcome of the 2022 World Cup play-off final in Chorzow, where Poland denied Sweden a place in the Qatar tournament.

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The atmosphere in the Strawberry Arena reflected the high stakes, with the Swedish team storming the pitch as Gyokeres’ goal went in and players running around with blue and yellow flags after the final whistle.

Sweden’s route to qualification was unconventional, with the country finishing last in Group B in the qualifying campaign with no wins and two points from six matches.

However, the country won the 2024/25 Nations League group, giving them a ‘safety net’ of a backdoor route to the World Cup via the play-offs, which it grabbed with both hands.

Published on April 1, 2026