Fridolina Rolfö's New Role as Sweden Prepares for Women's World Cup Playoffs

Fridolina Rolfö, a key player with over 100 caps for the Swedish women's national football team, has not started in any of the matches during Sweden's ongoing World Cup qualifying campaign. This decision by head coach Tony Gustavsson has drawn criticism, but Gustavsson has clarified his strategy, explaining that Rolfö is being assigned a new role designed to leverage her strengths differently and extend her playing career by at least five more years.

During the qualifying phase, Sweden finished third in their World Cup qualification group after a 2–2 draw against Italy, missing out on a direct spot to the World Cup in Brazil following a previous loss to Denmark. As a result, Sweden is set to enter playoffs this autumn to secure their place in the tournament. Possible playoff opponents include Hungary, Romania, and Belarus, with the draw scheduled for June 18. Sweden's playoff campaign will start with an away match and could progress to a final decisive doubleheader in late November or December.

Defender Smilla Holmberg highlighted the challenges of facing these teams, emphasizing the need for Sweden to improve their ability to create scoring opportunities against different tactical setups. Gustavsson noted that set-piece situations could prove crucial, especially against defensively oriented opponents.

Despite the challenges and the coaching changes affecting her role, Rolfö expressed confidence in the team's capacity to qualify for the World Cup. Gustavsson's approach aims not only to improve team performance but also to adapt Rolfö's role to maximize her impact and longevity in the squad.

This strategic adjustment comes as Sweden prepares for critical upcoming matches that will determine their participation in the 2026 Women's World Cup, reflecting both the evolving dynamics of the team and the importance placed on experienced players like Rolfö.