Sweden vs Switzerland prediction 10.10.2025 | World Cup Qualification 2026

Sweden have not made the most encouraging start to their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign. The two-time World Cup bronze medalists have collected just one point from their opening two matches - a 2–2 draw with Slovenia and an unexpected 2–0 defeat away to Kosovo - making this Friday’s encounter a must-win for Janne Andersson’s men. Their lacklustre performances against Slovenia and Kosovo are somewhat difficult to explain, given that Sweden had been one of the more consistent European sides over the previous 18 months. Prior to the start of the qualification campaign, they had lost only once in ten matches across all competitions, winning eight and drawing one.

A strike partnership of Viktor Gyökeres and Alexander Isak is expected to be reinstated in the starting XI, with both players still searching for their first goals of the qualifying campaign.

Switzerland, meanwhile, have enjoyed an excellent start to their World Cup 2026 qualification journey, recording back-to-back wins over Kosovo and Slovenia. Murat Yakin’s side have demonstrated impressive attacking fluency in those fixtures, scoring seven goals while keeping two clean sheets. The Swiss have now won five consecutive matches in all competitions, a run that includes friendly victories against the USA, Mexico, and Luxembourg.

The only concern for Switzerland heading into matchday three is their recent away record - they have suffered three consecutive defeats on the road, all in UEFA Nations League fixtures against Spain, Serbia, and Denmark. Nonetheless, their attacking form remains strong, with Breel Embolo emerging as the key figure up front. The 28-year-old striker has found the net three times in two World Cup qualifying matches and will once again lead the line for Yakin’s men.