Sweden’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Kosovo in a 2026 World Cup qualifier has sparked harsh criticism from Swedish media, particularly aimed at the performances of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. Despite both players making high-profile moves to Premier League clubs this summer, their displays in Pristina were far from convincing.
Isak, who transferred to Liverpool for a staggering €150 million from Newcastle United, was relegated to the bench by coach Jon Dahl Tomasson due to concerns about his match fitness. Isak had missed Newcastle’s preseason and had a rushed transfer, making only three training sessions with the national team. He came on for the last 18 minutes but failed to make any significant impact. His most notable contribution was a clash with Kosovo’s Fidan Aliti that earned both players yellow cards, underscoring the frustration in his performance.
Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal for €68.5 million from Sporting CP, played the entire 90 minutes but was equally ineffective. Sweden’s attack lacked sharpness and creativity, failing to capitalize on Kosovo’s reduced numbers after a late red card. Despite having more than enough time to make a difference, Gyokeres struggled to create any meaningful chances for Sweden, contributing little to their offensive efforts.
The result, a shock defeat to a team that is not considered a major contender, leaves Sweden’s qualification hopes hanging in the balance. Expressen, a leading Swedish daily, labeled the loss as “Sweden’s huge fiasco,” while sports analyst Erik Niva of Sportbladet referred to the match as “total darkness, a shameful performance.” Fredrik Ljungberg, a former Arsenal and Sweden star, echoed the sentiment, calling the performance “absolutely awful.”
With Sweden’s World Cup qualification at risk and mounting pressure on coach Tomasson, both Isak and Gyokeres will need to find form quickly if they are to justify their hefty price tags. The criticism from the media is likely to persist until they prove their worth on the international stage.
