Ukraine vs Sweden prediction 26.03.2026 | World Cup Qualifiers

Rebrov’s side come in with something resembling momentum. Three wins from four games is not perfect, but it is steady enough to build on. The 5–3 win over Iceland showed attacking intent, though conceding three is hardly reassuring. Then again, the follow-up 2–1 win over Azerbaijan suggested a bit more control.

The 4–0 loss to France in November still lingers, and it probably should. That kind of result exposes gaps that stronger teams will exploit. However, the response, a 2–0 win against Iceland, mattered. It ended a long stretch without a clean sheet, which had become a quiet concern.

There are fresh faces too. Ruslan Neshcheret and Matvii Ponomarenko step in, adding curiosity if not immediate certainty. Injuries to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Artem Dovbyk do limit options, especially going forward.

Sweden arrive in a far less convincing place. Potter’s side have not won in six competitive matches, which is more than just a rough patch. It is starting to look like a pattern. Four defeats in that run, and more worrying, three games without scoring. That suggests deeper issues than simple bad luck.

The 1–1 draw with Slovenia in November stopped the losing streak, but it did not exactly signal a revival either. It felt more like a pause than a turnaround. Still, Potter will take anything that steadies the group.

The squad itself is stretched. Missing Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski is significant, no need to overthink that. Add in absences across the squad, and the burden shifts to players like Anthony Elanga and Viktor Gyökeres to hold things together. Whether that is enough remains open.