Now, in terms of sport, it means nothing more than a few lost ranking points if the national team finishes last and completes the qualifying fiasco – a playoff is still waiting until spring and winter. Old merits sometimes apply. Last autumn's group victory in the Nations League provides a lifeline to the World Cup.
But a strong Swedish performance (kick-off Tuesday at 8:45 p.m., the match will be broadcast on Viaplay and P4 Radiosporten) would strengthen shattered self-confidence and give hope for the future.
For new national team captain Graham Potter, it is the last chance to continue working on how the national team will play under him. The last international match of the year is also the last one before the playoff in March. It looked good for 60 minutes against Switzerland, but it only took a few setbacks for Sweden to collapse and lose 1–4.
According to Potter, the hope is that Alexander Isak can start. He came on with half an hour left against Switzerland.
Left the squad: Right-back Emil Holm injured his groin against Switzerland and was forced to substitute – and also break the group. Mjällby's Herman Johansson has been called up as a replacement. Anthony Elanga has also left the squad, for personal reasons.
Question mark: Viktor Johansson did not participate in the collective training. Victor Nilsson Lindelöf sat in the stands in Geneva with injury problems but trained on Monday and is available for the game. Yasin Ayari, who came off with a slight feeling in his foot, also trained.
Clear on Tuesday evening: The final round of the European World Cup qualifiers will be decided. It will also be clear which four group runners-up will end up in seeding group 1 for the playoff in March. Sweden, in seeding group 4, will be drawn on Thursday against one of the nations in the semi-finals.
Suspended: Slovenia defender Petar Stojanovic picked up two yellow cards against Kosovo.
Heavy losses: Slovenia striker Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United, has a knee injury and star goalkeeper Jan Oblak, Atlético Madrid, is no longer in the squad.
The troops:
Sweden:
Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Noel Törnqvist, Mjällby, Jacob Widell Zetterström, Derby.
Defenders: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Herman Johansson, Mjällby, Carl Starfelt, Celta Vigo, Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, Aston Villa, Ken Sema, Pafos, Daniel Svensson, Dortmund, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Braga, Emil Krafth, Newcastle.
Midfielders/strikers: Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Roony Bardghji, Barcelona, Alexander Bernhardsson, Kiel, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Isac Lidberg, Darmstadt, Gustav Lundgren, Gais, Benjamin Nygren, Celtic, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Mattias Svanberg, Wolfsburg, Besfort Zeneli, Elfsborg, Emil Forsberg, New York RB.
Slovenia:
Goalkeepers: Zan Leban, Celje, Igor Vekic, Vejle, Martin Turk, Estoril.
Defenders: Erik Janza, Gornik Zabrze, Vanja Drkusic, Zenit, Jaka Bijol, Leeds, David Brekalo, Orlando, Zan Karnicnik, Celje, Jure Balkovec, Karagumruk, David Zec, Kiel.
Midfielder/striker: Gorenc Stankovic, Sturm Graz, Tomi Horvat, do, Timi Elsnik, Red Star, Dejan Petrovic, Rijeka, Sandi Lovric, Udinese, Svit Seslar, Eyupspor, Andraz Sporar, Slovan Bratislava, Zan Vipotnik, Swansea, Nejc Gradisar, al-Ahly, Danijel Sturm, Celje, Benjamin Verbic, Levadiakos, Jan Mlakar, Amiens.
Assistant captain: Matjaz Kek.
Referee: Maurizio Mariani, Italy.
