Sweden has always been in a good position to get one of the four lifelines to the playoffs if necessary, thanks to the group victory in the Nations League last year.
But for a blue-yellow lifeline, at least six of the nine higher-ranked Nations League group winners were required to finish second in their World Cup qualifying groups – and therefore not have to use their lifelines.
Late Friday night, there were no question marks left.
Germany will finish second in World Cup qualifying Group A after their away win against Luxembourg, 2–0.
And in Group L, the Czech Republic, which could also have been a lifeline, is guaranteed second place. Croatia ensured that by turning a 0–1 deficit into a 3–1 home win against the Faroe Islands, third in the group – and at the same time securing the Croatians first place and a place in next year's World Cup.
This makes it clear that seven higher-ranked group winners in the Nations League do not need to use any lifeline to reach the playoffs.
Sweden, fourth and last in their World Cup qualifying group ahead of Saturday's meeting with Switzerland, can look forward to play in the playoff in March.
In the European World Cup play-offs, the 16 participating teams are drawn into four groups, where the semi-finals and finals will be played. Both matches will be decided in single matches and will be played at the end of March.
The four final winners are ready for the World Cup next summer.
The playoff will feature twelve national teams that finished second in their World Cup qualifying groups and four nations that have secured a place through group victory in the 2024 Nations League (NL).
The four NL winners are automatically placed in the fourth and worst draw pot. The other twelve teams are placed in pots 1, 2 or 3 based on the world ranking after the completion of the World Cup qualifiers.
For the semi-finals, teams from pot 1 are drawn against teams from pot 4 – teams from pots 2 and 3 are drawn against each other. The highest ranked team will play at home.
The draw will take place on November 20th.
Source: UEFA
