Graham Potter Nears Return as Sweden's Head Coach to Revive World Cup Hopes

October 18, 2025 – The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) is on the verge of appointing Graham Potter as the new head coach of the national team, signaling a bold move to rescue Sweden’s flagging 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. The appointment, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, involves a short-term contract until March 2026, targeting key upcoming matches against Switzerland, Slovenia, and Azerbaijan. This follows the recent sacking of Jon Dahl Tomasson, whose tenure ended after a dismal start that left Sweden bottom of UEFA Group B.

Potter, currently out of work after his abrupt dismissal from West Ham United last month, brings a wealth of experience to the role. His most notable achievement came during a seven-year stint at Östersund FK, where he transformed the fourth-tier club into a competitive force, culminating in a Swedish Cup win and Europa League qualification in 2017. The 50-year-old Englishman, who also managed Brighton and Chelsea, expressed openness to returning to Sweden, where he retains strong ties after raising part of his family there.

The SvFF hopes Potter’s tactical expertise can unlock the potential of stars like Victor Lindelöf, Alexander Isak, and Viktor Gyökeres, offering a lifeline to reach the World Cup playoffs.