Gyokeres And Sweden Boost World Cup Bid As Potter Era Lifts Camp Mood

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Sweden enter their World Cup play-offs with renewed belief, as Viktor Gyokeres highlights a lifted mood under new coach Graham Potter. Sweden face Ukraine at Estadio Ciudad de Valencia in the semi-final, with the winner advancing to meet Poland or Albania for a place at FIFA's global showpiece.

Qualification would mark Sweden's first World Cup appearance since 2018, when the team reached the quarter-finals in Qatar. Gyokeres is expected to start as centre-forward because Liverpool striker Alexander Isak is unavailable through injury, placing extra responsibility on the Arsenal player in this crucial international window.

Gyokeres is back with the national team for the first time under Potter, after missing the November matches with injury. The forward explains that the environment feels very different compared with the period under Jon Dahl Tomasson, who lost the job in October after a poor qualifying campaign that left Sweden bottom of Group B.

"It's more positive, but, of course, it's been a few months since then," Gyokeres told reporters. "We've tried to put it behind us and focus on this match we have here, and hopefully another one in Stockholm in a few days. It's different with Graham and all the other new members of the coaching staff. It's easier to put the games from last autumn behind us. Plus, we have a good chance of reaching the World Cup."

Despite Sweden's struggles in qualifying, Gyokeres has delivered strong numbers in other competitions. The striker produced one assist in four World Cup qualifying matches, but then struck nine goals in six games during the 2024 Nations League. That surge in form helped Sweden secure a World Cup play-off position through their performance in that tournament.

At club level in 2026, Gyokeres arrives from Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final, yet the scoring record in the Premier League during this calendar year is strong. Only Igor Thiago, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko have scored more league goals in 2026.

Gyokeres accepts that expectations are high, with Sweden needing goals in a tie that could be tight and tactical. "I don't think about it too much. When you play so many important games, you focus on just trying to do your best," Gyokeres added on the pressure of leading Sweden's attack. "As a striker, you always want to go out and score goals.The match is extremely important.It's a tough match. It could be a match where not many chances are created. That's what counts. We'll try to go in and get the momentum we want and create good chances."

With the squad attempting to move on from last year's setbacks, the tie against Ukraine becomes a measure of Sweden's progress under Potter. The combination of Gyokeres' recent club form, improved camp spirit and Nations League momentum gives Sweden a platform, but the play-off route leaves no margin for error across potentially two tense matches.