- Sweden and Poland reached the play-off final after finishing second in their groups
- The Swedes are in excellent form at home, where they have been boosted by Viktor Gyökeres’ hat-trick in the semi-final.
- Poland are a well-disciplined, balanced side with Robert Lewandowski as their talisman.
Sweden and Poland set for World Cup play-off battle
Sweden and Poland meet in the FIFA World Cup 2026 play-off final on Tuesday with a direct ticket to the Finals in North America up for grabs. Graham Potter’s side are favourites to secure a spot in North America with Poland as big as 27/10 and the draw at 23/10. But the hosts will need to be on their toes to overcome the more experienced Eagles.
Sweden are the more likely winners because their form and confidence are on a rising curve, but the Polish team are an experienced, cohesive unit with the world’s most lethal goalscorer leading their attack. A full house at Strawberry Arena will give the hosts a passionate backing and with so much at stake, any defensive slip could prove costly.
Poland edged the Swedes 2-0 in their last competitive meeting in March 2022 during World Cup qualifying, but the head-to-head record is quite even and games between the two are often low-scoring. Bookies make it a bit of a chess match with both teams to score - No at 4/5 on the short side.
Potter’s possession-based system faces test
Potter’s fluid system is based on possession, but there are also plenty of positional rotations and transitions to it. The Englishman’s men have plenty of pace in attack and play on the break with Gyökeres a dangerous finisher.
But injuries to Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski have caused Potter to rely on more direct play and Gyökeres’ finishing ability during the qualifying campaign. Both men could return for the play-off and would add plenty of creativity and dynamism to the Sweden attack if they are fit to play.
Jan Urban has knitted Poland together after a mixed qualifying campaign, where they finished second behind the Netherlands. Urban’s men are a balanced team, with veteran players and good experience, but also a dose of midfield creativity in the form of Piotr Zieliński, whose vision and passing ability provide the link between midfield and the attack, where Lewandowski’s movement and finishing are the main act.
Goals likely to be at a premium
The weather will be cool and cloudy in Solna for this clash, ideal conditions for a football match where organisation and discipline are paramount. But, given the occasion is a do-or-die playoff final, there is just as much chance of a nervy affair in which mistakes are made.
Sweden won their semi-final with Ukraine 3-1 with Gyökeres’ hat-trick securing them a place in the decider, while Poland got past Albania after a tense affair. The Poles will not over-commit as they know the main danger is counter-attacks, but their ability to hold the ball and get into set-piece positions could see them stretch the home defence.
We’re going for a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, which means penalties or a late goal will decide which country will be at the World Cup next summer. Gyökeres is Sweden’s main man after his semi-final heroics and the talk of the tournament, but Lewandowski’s return will be the biggest talking point among Poland fans who hope for World Cup qualification.
