What: Lithuania–Sweden, the first match of the first round of the World Cup play-offs.
Where: Darius and Girėnas Stadium in Kaunas.
When: Kick-off at 18:05 on Friday.
TV/Radio: SVT/Radiosporten
+ How Sweden can qualify for the World Cup
Sweden missed out on a direct place after, among other things, losing both qualifying matches against Denmark. This means they must take the back route to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil through a play-off, similar to the one that took the men’s national team to this summer’s World Cup. Sweden begins with a two-legged tie against Lithuania, playing away on October 9 and at home on October 13. If Sweden win, they will face the winner of the tie between the Czech Republic and Scotland in a final. The winner of that tie will qualify for the World Cup.
+ Pressure on Tony Gustavsson
Tony Gustavsson heads into the World Cup play-offs with two wins, three draws and five losses since taking over as national team coach in August 2025. No Swedish women’s national team coach has ever had a worse start. He now risks becoming the first Swedish national team coach to miss a women’s World Cup. The results in the coming weeks are likely to determine whether Gustavsson stays in the job.
+ When will the super talent break through?
When BK Häcken sold Felicia Schröder to Real Madrid, she became the most expensive female player ever. The striker has been in fine form in Spain, scoring in both the league and the Champions League. But she has yet to make her mark for the national team: the 19-year-old has no goals in 11 international appearances.
+ Injury update
Sweden are dealing with injuries ahead of the two-legged tie. Stars Kosovare Asllani and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd are both out with cruciate ligament injuries. Elma Junttila Nelhage has also withdrawn from the squad with a concussion, and it is uncertain whether Smilla Holmberg will play on Friday. The 19-year-old sprained her foot in training earlier this week.
The national team will also be without Fridolina Rolfö, who is pregnant.
+ Sweden are huge favourites
Lithuania reached the World Cup play-offs by winning their qualifying group ahead of Liechtenstein, Estonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. However, Lithuania have never played in a women’s championship and are 94th in the world rankings, while Sweden are eighth.
+ Sweden’s squad
Goalkeepers:
Moa Edrud, FC Rosengård
Jennifer Falk, BK Häcken FF
Zecira Musovic, Malmö FF
Defenders:
Bella Andersson, Real Madrid CF
Alice Bergström, Liverpool FC
Nathalie Björn, Chelsea FC
Smilla Holmberg, Arsenal FC
Amanda Ilestedt, Eintracht Frankfurt
Sofia Reidy, Hammarby IF
Amanda Nildén, Tottenham Hotspur FC
Anna Sandberg, Manchester United FC
Midfielders/Forwards:
Filippa Angeldahl, Real Madrid CF
Anna Anvegård, BK Häcken
Hanna Bennison, Eintracht Frankfurt
Stina Blackstenius, Arsenal FC
Evelyn Ijeh, North Carolina Courage
Monica Jusu Bah, Manchester United Women FC
Rosa Kafaji, London City Lionesses
Hanna Lundkvist, Manchester United FC
Beata Olsson, Liverpool FC Women
Felicia Schröder, Real Madrid CF
Matilda Vinberg, Tottenham Hotspur FC
Julia Zigiotti Olme, Manchester United FC
