+ Criticized game system
When Jon Dahl Tomasson was presented on February 26, 2024, he would take Sweden forward with a "positive attacking football".
But the effect was absent.
A little over a year and a half after his arrival, the national team only scored two goals in four matches in the World Championship qualifying rounds, despite world stars like Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres in the team. The high man-to-man defense was also criticized.
Dahl Tomasson's revolution never took hold – neither offensively nor defensively.
+ Open conflicts with players
Dahl Tomasson's leadership has also been criticized and the national team captain ended up in several open player conflicts.
Already during the September gathering in 2024, he ended up in a playing time dispute with midfielder Hugo Larsson. According to the national team captain, Larsson made too few "vertical passes".
It's very sad. Some things should stay within the family. Now it didn't, said Larsson.
A month later, Tomasson claimed to Expressen that he had called striker Anthony Elanga seven times and sent messages – without feedback.
The most notable conflict was with Robin Olsen. When the goalkeeper found out that he was dropped before the latest gathering, he chose to end his national team career.
I will not play in the national team as long as Jon Dahl Tomasson is the national team captain, he said to Aftonbladet.
Dahl Tomasson responded by directing strong criticism back:
I am disappointed with Robin's reaction. I think he has betrayed his teammates.
+ The fiasco in the World Championship qualifying rounds
Before the qualifying rounds, the goal was clear – Sweden would qualify for the World Championship 2026.
After four matches and only one point, the direct spot is already out of reach.
The day after Sweden lost to Kosovo, ranked 91st in the world rankings, patience ran out and Jon Dahl Tomasson had to leave his assignment.
Jon Dahl Tomasson played his first match as national team captain for Sweden's men's national football team in March 2024. Here is his record:
2024
2–5 (away) against Portugal
1–0 (home) against Albania
1–2 (away) against Denmark
0–3 (home) against Serbia
3–1 (away) against Azerbaijan (Nations League)
3–0 (home) against Estonia (NL)
2–2 (away) against Slovakia (NL)
3–0 (away) against Estonia (NL)
2–1 (home) against Slovakia (NL)
6–0 (home) against Azerbaijan (NL)
2025
0–1 (away) against Luxembourg
5–1 (home) against Northern Ireland
2–0 (away) against Hungary
4–3 (home) against Algeria
2–2 (away) against Slovenia (World Championship qualifying rounds)
0–2 (away) against Kosovo (World Championship qualifying rounds)
0–2 (home) against Switzerland (World Championship qualifying rounds)
0–1 (home) against Kosovo (World Championship qualifying rounds)
Record: Nine wins, two draws, seven losses.
