Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the 2026 World Cup qualifying match.
If Sweden fail to win a single match and finish bottom of the group, it will become a national embarrassment that will be remembered for years. And yet, remarkably, they can still reach the World Cup — regardless of what happens in this match against Slovenia.
Sweden
This is thanks to the alternative route introduced in the past decade. Strong results in the Nations League can now open the door to playoff places for the World Cup or European Championship. That is how Georgia, the Euro 2024 sensation, earned their spot, and Sweden could follow the same path. The federation have already made changes: Graham Potter, who knows Swedish football well, has replaced Jon Dahl Tomasson as head coach. The early signs are still bleak with a defeat to leaders Switzerland at 1:4, although Switzerland are comfortably above everyone else in the group.
Slovenia
Slovenia, by contrast, are not on that level. They are an average side and lost their battles with Kosovo outright at 0:0 and 0:2, despite Kosovo having no notable success beforehand. Slovenia did reach the playoffs for the last European Championship, but their trademark approach is low-scoring football. Slovenia showed it at the Euros in all four matches, and again in World Cup qualifying with three of five games finishing low. They have also gone four rounds without scoring.
Sweden vs Slovenia Prediction
We would be very surprised if Slovenia score more than once. They managed two in the reverse fixture against Sweden at 2:2, but that was at home. Sweden will do everything possible to avoid finishing bottom, and we are backing the hosts to avoid defeat with a low total.
