Victor Nilsson Lindelöf injured his groin and has returned to Manchester United. Tomasson sympathizes with his team captain.
I met him before he left the hotel. He was very disappointed. Now it's about him getting healthy, says the national team captain and praises the defender for sacrificing himself for the team when he got injured.
Defensive colleague Isak Hien is suspended and has also left the gathering. Moreover, the squad consists of many tired bodies after the 2-1 win at home against Slovakia on Saturday.
There is a lot to consider ahead of the home match against Azerbaijan and this year's last national team match.
We have a couple of players with problems. I'll talk to the medical team later tonight and tomorrow and then make the final decisions, says national team captain Jon Dahl Tomasson.
"All for Sweden"
One reason for the players' problems is the effort against Slovakia.
On Saturday, you saw the players giving their all for Sweden, and when you give your all, there can be problems. But I'm sure they'll do everything to get ready.
It's clear that Viktor Johansson will play his sixth consecutive national team match as Robin Olsen's substitute in goal. Gabriel Gudmundsson and Carl Starfelt will also start, and Dejan Kulusevski will be the team captain against Azerbaijan.
Otherwise, Jon Dahl Tomasson wants to keep his starting lineup secret.
The win against Slovakia secured Sweden's advancement to the B-division in the Nations League.
One match remains, however.
And for Tomasson, there's only one way to look at the conclusion in Solna: Victory, that's the only thing that counts for the Dane.
The nice thing about having a match left in the Nations League is that there's something to play for, and we want to win the match, he says.
We want to be among the best national teams at the C-level, so that we might have a chance to qualify for the World Championship that way.
"Quite complex"
Both he and the players have a hard time figuring out how that path looks.
It's quite complex. I've tried to explain to the squad a few times how important it is to win the match.
Gabriel Gudmundsson doesn't think it's worth delving into.
We always go out to win matches, and then most things will sort themselves out if we win, he says.
+ Why was the group win important?
Sweden's group win can provide a lifeline in case of a failed World Championship qualification next year. Four Nations League group winners will get a spot in the playoffs to the World Championship 2026. It's about the four best-ranked group winners who don't finish top two in their World Championship qualification group.
+ How does the World Championship qualification work?
A total of 16 national teams from Europe will play in the World Championship 2026 in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, which has been expanded to 48 teams. Direct spots go to the 12 group winners in the World Championship qualification groups, which will be drawn on December 13. The 12 group runners-up will play a playoff and will be joined by the current Nations League winners.
+ How does the World Championship playoff work?
The 16 teams will be drawn into four playoff paths, each consisting of four teams. It starts directly with semifinals – the winner of the single match goes to the final, and for the loser, it's over. The winners of the four finals – also in single matches – will play in the World Championship 2026. The matches will be decided in one national team window in March 2026.
+ Who gets to use the lifeline?
This week, it will be clear which national teams will get a lifeline – when the 14 groups in the four Nations League divisions (the best play in the A-division) are completed. The answer to who will need to use the lifeline will come only when the World Championship qualification is finished in November next year.
