Potter loses first game with Sweden as Switzerland, Austria close in on World Cup
Switzerland and Austria moved a step closer to World Cup qualification on Saturday, but both Sweden and Romania are bound for the play-offs.
Graham Potter's first game in charge of Sweden resulted in a 4-1 defeat to Switzerland, who are now virtually assured of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Potter was appointed as Sweden's new head coach last month, with the team bottom of Group B in the UEFA qualification process with just a single point from four games.
They were already guaranteed a play-off place due to their Nations League performance, but with top spot out of reach, Potter fielded a weakened team on Saturday, with Alexander Isak only coming on as a 62nd-minute substitute and Viktor Gyokeres out injured.
Breel Embolo struck first for Switzerland, though Benjamin Nygren got the visitors level in the 33rd minute.
However, Switzerland pulled clear in the second half with Granit Xhaka, Dan Ndoye and Johan Manzambi on target.
Murat Yakin's side visit Kosovo for their final game on Tuesday, knowing only a defeat of six goals or more would see them slide into the play-offs. Kosovo beat Slovenia 2-0 in the other game in Group B on Saturday, ending their opponents' hopes of qualification.
Elsewhere, Austria inched closer to sealing their spot at the tournament with a 2-0 win in Cyprus.
They are two points clear of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the top of Group H, and a point at home to their closest rivals on Tuesday would stamp their ticket to North America.
Romania are third and will advance to the play-offs as a result of their Nations League performance, having lost 3-1 in Zenica in their penultimate match.
In Group E, Turkiye beat Bulgaria 2-0, with Hakan Calhanoglu scoring a first-half penalty before Atanas Chernev put through his own net.
They are three points behind leaders Spain but would require a seven-goal victory in Seville on Tuesday to leapfrog La Roja and avoid the play-offs.
