Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterSweden striker Viktor Gyokeres has an opportunity to achieve a footballing first in tonights World Cup qualification play-off final against Poland.The Sweden squad find themselves on this stage thanks in no small part to the Arsenal striker, who netted all three goals in their 3-1 win over Ukraine in the semi-final.It gives them a one-game shot at travelling to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States. You may like Sweden World Cup 2026 squad: Graham Potters latest selection ahead of the World Cup qualifying play-offs How to watch Ukraine vs Sweden: Streams and TV info Albania World Cup 2026 squad: Sylvinho's latest selection ahead of World Cup qualifying play-offs Viktor Gyokeres on course to seal historic Sweden qualificationRealising that dream would be notable enough, having only qualified for one of the last four World Cups.However, in their last outing, the 2018 edition, they managed to reach the quarter-finals, showing they have plenty to offer the tournament proper.Viktor Gykeres UkraineWhat a performance #WCQ pic.twitter.com/QzCC9UMHCwMarch 30, 2026Qualification this time, however, would be a world-first, as theyd become the first nation to earn passage to the main competition having finished bottom of their qualification group.The Swedes had a disaster in Group B, recording no wins, two draws and four losses in their games against Switzerland, Kosovo and Slovenia.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.How have they managed to reach the final of the qualifiers then, you ask? Bear with us here.From the 12 UEFA qualification groups, each runner-up was entered into the play-offs, but to make that figure up to 16, four further countries not already qualified or in the play-offs were taken through based on their showing in the 2024/25 Nations League.Luckily for Sweden, they performed excellently in Group C1 back in 2024, topping out undefeated with five wins and a draw.Gyokeres also played a key role there, scoring four goals in one game Swedens 6-0 routing of Azerbaijan, with further wins coming against Slovakia and Estonia.The feat open to Sweden tonight is a recent phenomenon due to the introduction of the Nations League, with Gyokeres side being one of the biggest earlier beneficiaries, should they go through tonight. Its almost certain that the Arsenal man will be handed the keys to unlock this achievement, on home turf at the Strawberry Arena, due to the injury of Alexander Isak.Their opponents, Poland, have reached this stage by way of their second-placed finish in Group G of the World Cup qualifiers, beating Albania 2-1 in the semis last week.TOPICSViktor GyokeresWorld Cup 2026Isaac Stacey StrongeSocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterIsaac Stacey Stronge is a freelance football writer working for FourFourTwo, Manchester United and Football League World. He has been a season ticket holder at Stockport County throughout the Hatters meteoric rise from the National League North to League One and is a die-hard Paddy Madden fan.
