What: World Championship qualification in football, men, group B.
Where: Stadion Stozice, Ljubljana.
When: Friday, 20.45.
TV/radio: Viaplay Sport/P4 radiosporten.
Premiere: The first of six matches in the group stage. Sweden and Switzerland are pointed out as favorites for the group win, but Slovenia has the capacity to enter that fight. Made a strong European Championship finals last summer and is hard to beat at home.
The way to the World Championship: The group winner goes directly to the championship next summer in Canada, USA and Mexico. The second place plays playoff in March next year. Sweden can get another lifeline with the group win in the Nations League 2024.
Up to proof: Jon Dahl Tomasson has had around 18 months to build the national team he wants. It has been a bit shaky journey. The demands now are tough – a third straight championship must not be missed.
Continuation: Kosovo awaits in Pristina on Monday. In October, the national team has home matches against Switzerland and Kosovo. In November, the return match against Switzerland is played in Geneva and the qualification ends at home against Slovenia.
This week's big topic: Alexander Isak's transfer to Liverpool, of course. Isak is match-untrained, but will play, though not a whole match.
Missing: Central defender Victor Nilsson Lindelöf, who finally became clear for Aston Villa this week. On Thursday, it was also announced that another defender, Gustaf Lagerbielke, leaves the squad. He is replaced by Mjällby's Axel Norén, who joined the squad on Thursday.
Profiles in Slovenia: Atlético Madrid's Jan Oblak has for many years been one of Europe's best goalkeepers. Striker Benjamin Sesko is one of the summer's hottest signings in the Premier League. Left Leipzig for Manchester United.
The teams:
Slovenia
Goalkeepers: Jan Oblak, Atlético Madrid, Igor Vekic, Vejle, Martin Turk, Estoril.
Defenders: Petar Stojanovic, Legia Warszawa, Jaka Bijol, Leeds, Jure Balkovec, Fatih Karagumruk, Zan Karnicnik, Celje, Erik Janza, Gornik Zabrze, David Brekalo, Orlando, Vanja Drkusic, Zenit S:t Petersburg, David Zec, Holstein Kiel.
Midfielders: Adam Gnezda Cerin, Panathinaikos, Sandi Lovric, Udinese, Jon Gorenc Stankovic, Sturm Graz, Timi Max Elsnik, Röda Stjärnan, Tomi Horvat, Sturm Graz, Dejan Petrovic, Rijeka, Tamar Svetlin, Korona Kielce, Svit Seslar, Eyüpspor.
Forwards: Andraz Sporar, Alanyaspor, Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United, Zan Vipotnik, Swansea, Danijel Sturm, Celje.
Head coach: Matjaz Kek.
Sweden
Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson, Stoke, Kristoffer Nordfeldt, AIK, Robin Olsen, Malmö FF.
Defenders: Samuel Dahl, Benfica, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds, Hjalmar Ekdal, Burnley, Isak Hien, Atalanta, Ken Sema, Pafos, Daniel Svensson, Dortmund, Emil Krafth, Newcastle, Axel Norén, Mjällby.
Midfielders/forwards: Yasin Ayari, Brighton, Alexander Bernhardsson, Kiel, Anthony Elanga, Newcastle, Jesper Karlström, Udinese, Hugo Larsson, Eintracht Frankfurt, Benjamin Nygren, Celtic, Anton Salétros, AIK, Jordan Larsson, Köpenhamn, Alexander Isak, Liverpool, Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham, Niclas Eliasson, AEK Aten, Viktor Gyökeres, Arsenal, Sebastian Nanasi, Strasbourg.
Head coach: Jon Dahl Tomasson.
