Potter's Sweden turn fortunes around with World Cup thrashing in 2026

Graham Potter led Sweden to a dominant 5-1 World Cup win over Tunisia after early struggles cost him jobs at West Ham and Chelsea.

Stetson moment of hope Graham Potter stepped onto the training pitch in Sweden the previous week wearing a bold Stetson hat, a playful gesture to set the mood ahead of the 2026 World Cup in Texas. Some observers joked the cowboy hat matched the image of a manager who appeared to be occupying a last-chance establishment after two successive sackings within 15 months at his last two clubs. Yet once the real competition began at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico, Potter’s side proved they were serious contenders after the lighthearted training antics of their head coach. ## Sweden stuns Group F with five-goal rout A disciplined Swedish team dismantled Tunisia 5-1 in their opening Group F match, delivering a statement victory that few expected from a manager dismissed by West Ham in September following an underwhelming spell at Chelsea beforehand. Potter reflected on the triumph with cautious optimism, saying, 'You never know, that's the truth. You never know how things are going to go. We were optimistic because we felt confident in the work.' The manager added, 'But until the game is played you don't know for sure. That's the beauty of sport. We are delighted with how we performed tonight and it's a great start for us.' ## From bottom of qualifying to World Cup stage The five goals scored against Tunisia marked a dramatic improvement over Sweden’s entire four-goal output during the group stage of their qualifying campaign, which was overseen by Potter’s predecessor, Jon Dahl Tomasson. Under the Dane’s guidance, Sweden’s automatic progression from their group became mathematically impossible, finishing last behind Switzerland, Kosovo, and Slovenia without a single victory across six matches. After his dismissal, Potter was handed the national team job in October but inherited a side that had already failed to qualify directly, finishing bottom of their group. ## Play-off path delivers redemption opportunity Sweden’s Nations League ranking of 34 provided the only route to the 2026 World Cup via the play-offs, offering Potter a chance both to secure his team’s place in the tournament and silence critics questioning his ability to deliver on major stages. Sweden navigated play-off wins against Ukraine and Poland to secure their spot, and now, following the comprehensive victory over Tunisia, the side looks well-positioned to advance beyond the group phase. ## Isak and Gyokeres lead attacking resurgence The return to full fitness of Liverpool striker Alexander Isak represented a major boost for Potter’s squad, while his partnership with Arsenal forward Viktor Gyokeres delivered a dazzling display against Tunisia. Both players contributed assists for each other’s goals, delighting their manager with their understanding on the field. Sweden’s attack, featuring two of Europe’s most expensive forwards, now poses a serious threat on the world stage after missing the 2022 Qatar tournament. ## Potter’s Swedish roots fuel fresh motivation Potter emphasized his deep connection to Sweden, where he first made his managerial name by taking Ostersunds FK from the fourth tier to the top flight, winning the domestic cup and guiding them into their maiden European campaign. 'I feel very Swedish when I'm working,' he said. 'I even look a bit Swedish. Two of my children were born in Sweden. I had seven unforgettable years at Ostersunds, with memories that will stay with me for life. I came from the fourth tier of Swedish football, which is quite low, and worked my way up through the system to the Allsvenskan.' ## Off-field balance between work and culture On his Instagram, Potter shared moments of him exploring Sweden’s natural landscapes with his family, delving into Nordic literature, and participating in local cultural events, suggesting a balanced approach to life off the pitch. Yet behind the scenes, he has been fully immersed in preparing the team for the tournament, and the rewards became evident in their opening match. Sweden’s five-goal haul against Tunisia marked their second-highest scoring performance in a World Cup match, surpassed only by an 8-0 win over Cuba in the 1938 quarter-final. ## Squad experience and next challenge await While only Victor Lindelof had prior World Cup experience among the current squad, goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt had previously been an unused substitute for Sweden in Russia in 2018, indicating limited but present tournament exposure. Potter must now blend the rest of the squad together effectively, especially as the competition format means Sweden is already well-placed to reach the knockout stages. Their next test comes against the Netherlands on Saturday at 18:00 BST, a match against one of the tournament favorites. ## Focus remains on team performance over noise Potter stressed the importance of concentrating solely on Sweden’s own process ahead of the Netherlands clash, downplaying external expectations. 'We just focus on what we can do, we focus on our performances,' he explained. 'It doesn't matter what people think from the outside or opinions. That's the beauty of the World Cup — everyone has predictions and forecasts but we have to focus on our job and how we play as a team.' The manager acknowledged the difficulty of their upcoming opponent, calling the Dutch one of the competition’s favorites. ## Historical parallels and cautious optimism Sweden’s best World Cup performances came in 1958 and 1994, both occasions ending with third-place finishes, the first under English manager George Raynor and the second on home soil in the USA. Potter’s side has started their 2026 campaign in Texas with a commanding display, and while the past may offer some encouragement, the coach remains grounded in the present challenge.