GENEVA (AP) — New Swedish director Graham Potter wants to help his players deal with the frustration of losing in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, as the team is set to get a second chance at the playoffs next year.
Potter’s first game against Sweden — seven weeks after the English player’s game sacked by west ham -On Saturday, they will play against Switzerland, the leaders of their qualifying group, and if they win, they will qualify for the North American World Cup.
Sweden lost three straight games, including last month’s home game against Switzerland, and lost former manager John Dahl Tomasson, leaving the team at the bottom of their four-team group.
Potter’s likely task on his first short-term contract will be to steer Sweden. European playoffs in Marchwho won the Nations League a year ago, should be in. FIFA makes 16 team playoff draw In Zurich next Thursday.
“The team is in a difficult situation,” Potter acknowledged Friday. “In the end, the campaign didn’t go the way we wanted it to. When that happens, there’s a lot of pain and frustration.”
He said he was setting goals “to help the players feel better on the pitch”.
Potter has worked with his players on the emotional side of team building, but said the on-field message was “relatively clear and relatively simple.”
Sweden have a talented squad, but Potter is currently without Arsenal forward Viktor Gökeres and Tottenham pair Dejan Kulusevski and Lukas Bergvall due to injury.
Isaac available
Potter said Liverpool forward Alexander Isak, who was signed in September for England’s record transfer fee of 125 million pounds (about $170 million), will be available but will not be able to play the full two games against Switzerland and Tuesday’s home game against Slovenia.
“We have to be smart with him,” Potter said. Mr Potter returned to Sweden after his last two spells in England came to an abrupt end with Chelsea and West Ham in 2023.
He established an admired reputation by leading small town club Ostersund from the fourth division to the top, winning the Swedish Cup title in seven years until 2018.
Mr Potter spoke Swedish for most of the 30-minute press conference at the Stade de Genève. He is a rare talent among British coaches who have worked overseas.
“I speak English with a lot of the players because it’s better for them and easier for me,” he said. “I think it’s also important for me to improve my Swedish.”
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