2026-2027 Nations League: Sweden vs. Poland, Probable Lineups

Six months after Sweden’s 3-2 victory that sent them to the World Cup at Poland’s expense, the two national teams face off again on Matchday 2 of the Nations League (Group 4, League B), both seeking three points that could already prove crucial not only for promotion but also for the ranking that would allow them to remain in contention for the European Championship in the event of a poor showing in the upcoming qualifiers—just as happened to the Swedes during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

In North America, Sweden advanced from the group stage but not without showing some cracks: after defeating the modest Tunisia 5-1, Alexander Isak and his teammates had in fact collapsed by the same score against the Netherlands, then drawing 1-1 with Japan. In the Round of 16, France proved too strong an opponent to overcome: the final score was 3-0, with a brace from Mbappé sandwiched between a goal by Barcola. Their Nations League debut was positive: a 2-1 win over Romania with goals from Isak and Gyokeres (Man scored Romania’s temporary equalizer).

Poland, reeling from its loss to Sweden in the playoff at the end of March, has yet to win a match since then: a 0-2 home loss to Ukraine on May 31, a 2-2 draw (also in front of a home crowd) against Nigeria on June 3, and a 0-0 draw, again at home, against Bosnia and Herzegovina in their 2026-2027 Nations League opener. The Polish national team is struggling with a generational transition: the charismatic leader remains Robert Lewandowski, who is still a world-class striker but turned 38 on August 21.

Probable Lineups

SWEDEN (4-4-2): Johansson; Svensson, Starfelt, Lindelof, Stroud; Bernhardsson, Bergvall, Ayari, Nanasi; Gyokeres, Isak. Head Coach: Potter.

POLAND (4-4-2): Bulka; Cash, Potulski, Bednarek, Kiwior; Skoras, Slisz, Zielinski, Kaminski; Szymanski, Lewandowski. Head Coach: Urban.