The Swedish Football Association has officially appointed Graham Potter as the new head coach of the national team. This decision comes in the wake of Jon Dahl Tomasson’s dismissal, which followed a disappointing start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Tomasson was relieved of his duties on October 14, after Sweden managed to secure only one point from their first four qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup. This poor run of form left the team at the bottom of Group B and, more concerningly, saw them fail to score in their last three games.

Potter, aged 50, will now take charge of efforts to revitalize Sweden’s qualification hopes. His first tests will be the upcoming matches against Switzerland and Slovenia in November. The terms of his contract also cover potential playoff matches scheduled for March.

Should Sweden successfully qualify for the World Cup, Potter’s contract will automatically extend through the tournament, which is scheduled to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. “The goal is to create the optimal conditions to reach the World Cup in the summer of 2026,” the Swedish FA stated in their announcement.

In his reaction to the appointment, Potter acknowledged the scale of the task ahead but expressed his motivation and readiness for the challenge. “I am very humbled by this assignment, but also incredibly inspired. Sweden has fantastic players who deliver week after week in the world’s best leagues,” he said.

Despite boasting attacking talents like Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres, Sweden’s recent performances have been lackluster. The team has struggled both in finding the net and in establishing a cohesive rhythm in their play.

Potter’s move to Sweden also represents a return to a country where he has previously found success. Between 2011 and 2018, he managed Östersund FK, a relatively small club that he guided from the lower divisions all the way to the top flight and into European competition. This period was crucial in building his reputation as a coach.

Following his successful spell in Sweden, Potter went on to manage clubs like Swansea City, Brighton, Chelsea, and most recently West Ham United, from which he was dismissed in September. While he was once considered one of English football’s most promising young coaches, his recent career has faced challenges.

Potter will now aim to rebuild both his own career and the fortunes of the Swedish national team as they embark on the road to the 2026 World Cup.