Sweden 3-2 Poland, FIFA World Cup 2026: Gyokeres' Late Winner Sees Potter's Men Qualify For WC

Viktor Gyokeres has sent Sweden back to the World Cup. The Arsenal striker scored in the 88th minute to earn the Swedes a 3-2 win over Poland, five days after netting a hat trick in the playoff semifinal victory over Ukraine. Poland great Robert Lewandowski, at age 37, was hoping to qualify for what would likely have been his final World Cup. Sweden reached the quarterfinals in its last World Cup appearance, in 2018.

Updated on: 1 April 2026 4:00 pm

Published at: 1 April 2026 5:22 am

Sweden vs Poland World Cup 2026 qualification playofffinal-

Sweden players and staff celebrate qualifying for the World Cup after a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Stockholm. | Photo: Jonas Ekstromer/TT via AP

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Sweden vs Poland World Cup 2026 qualification playofffinal-Polands Robert Lewandowski

Poland's Robert Lewandowski reacts after losing in the World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Stockholm. | Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT via AP

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Sweden's Viktor Gyökeres celebrates qualifying for the World Cup after a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Stockholm. Jonas Ekstromer/TT via AP

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Sweden vs Poland World Cup 2026 qualification playofffinal-Sweden players and staff celebrate

Sweden players and staff celebrate qualifying for the World Cup after a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Stockholm. | Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT via AP

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Sweden vs Poland World Cup 2026 qualification playofffinal-Swedens Gustaf Lagerbielke

Sweden's Gustaf Lagerbielke, left, celebrates after scoring their second goal during a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Stockholm. | Photo: Jonas Ekstromer/TT via AP

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Poland's Sebastian Szymanski and Przemyslaw Wisniewski chase Sweden's Viktor Gyokeres during a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match. Pontus Lundahl/TT via AP

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Sweden's Daniel Svensson, left, against Poland's Robert Lewandowski during a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match. Jonas Ekstromer/TT via AP

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Poland's Karol Swiderski during a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Stockholm, Tuesday Pontus Lundahl/TT via AP

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Sweden vs Poland World Cup 2026 qualification playofffinal-Jakub Kamiński

Poland's Jakub Kamiński, left, and Sweden's Gabriel Gudmundsson battle for the ball during a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Stockholm. | Photo: Jonas Ekstromer/TT via AP

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Sweden vs Poland World Cup 2026 qualification playofffinal-Polands Sebastian Szymanski

Poland's Sebastian Szymanski and Sweden's Benjamin Nygren during a World Cup qualifying playoff final soccer match between Sweden and Poland in Stockholm. | Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT via AP