Sweden's Women's Football Team Eyes World Cup After 5-0 Playoff Win Over Lithuania

The Swedish women's national football team is on track for the 2026 Women's World Cup in Brazil following a dominant 5-0 victory in the first playoff match against Lithuania. The match, held in Kaunas, featured Sweden's controlling play, including 18 corner kicks, though only one resulted in a goal. Head coach Tony Gustavsson reflected on the set pieces as "incredibly good," but acknowledged the need for improvement, noting that eight corners were stopped by Lithuania's first defender. The goal from a corner came from Amanda Ilestedt, heading in a cross from Filippa Angeldahl.

The team is preparing ahead of the return leg against Lithuania in Stockholm, broadcast live with hosts André Pops, former player Lotta Schelin, and expert commentators. Despite missing several key corner specialists such as Jonna Andersson and the injured Kosovare Asllani, Sweden has dedicated training sessions focusing on refining corner executions to capitalize better in set pieces.

Looking beyond Lithuania, Sweden is poised for a playoff final in December against either Scotland or the Czech Republic. Defender Nathalie Björn expressed enthusiasm about facing Scotland, calling it a match where "it will be a fight," highlighting the intensity expected in securing World Cup qualification. Björn shares a club connection with Scottish player Erin Cuthbert at Chelsea, describing their rivalry off the pitch as friendly but competitive.

With a solid 5-0 aggregate advantage, Sweden holds a strong position heading into the decisive matches. The team aims to secure their spot in Brazil next year, advancing Sweden's longstanding tradition of women's football excellence.On the preparation and mindset, Gustavsson emphasized the importance of detail, and players like Hanna Lundkvist highlighted their commitment to improving set pieces — an area critical for success in tight playoff conditions. The upcoming matches will test Sweden's ability to translate their dominance into qualification success.