Kulusevski's Injury Sidelined Ahead of Critical World Cup Qualifiers

Dejan Kulusevski, a pivotal figure in the Swedish national football team, will be absent from the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches due to a knee injury. This was officially confirmed by the national team coach, Jon Dahl Tomasson, who expressed disappointment about the situation affecting both Kulusevski and the squad. "It is a disappointment for him and for us," stated Tomasson, acknowledging the impact of Kulusevski's absence.

Kulusevski's injury stems from a Premier League match on May 20, where he sustained damage that required subsequent surgery. Since then, he has been in rehabilitation but has not yet rejoined training with his club, Tottenham Hotspur. Four months post-surgery, his recovery appears slower than anticipated, leaving him unfit to participate in the initial qualifying fixtures scheduled against Slovenia on September 5 and Kosovo on September 8.

Tomasson highlighted the team's preparations as they face these crucial matches for World Cup qualification, noting the challenge posed by Kulusevski's absence. "We would love to play with 'Kulu', but football is never perfect," he lamented. Despite the setbacks, there remains a glimmer of hope for the fans and team alike, as Tomasson mentioned the possibility of Kulusevski returning for the October qualifiers against Switzerland and Kosovo, although he clarified, "I am not a doctor, so I cannot say anything about that now." The Swedish national team now must quickly adapt in light of these developments as they gear up for their critical early September matches.