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Graham Potter leads Sweden to World Cup after overcoming past failures

Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 5, 2026, 11:06 AM

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

Graham Potter leads Sweden to World Cup after overcoming past failures

Summary

Graham Potter expressed immense pride in leading Sweden to the World Cup after a thrilling 3-2 playoff victory over Poland. The decisive moment came with an 88th-minute goal from Viktor Gyokeres, marking Sweden's first World Cup appearance since 2018. Reflecting on his tumultuous previous roles at Chelsea and West Ham, Potter emphasized the importance of facing failure and finding joy in the present. He extended his contract until 2030, aiming to build on this success. Potter celebrates not only the team's achievement but also his deep connection to Swedish culture and football.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports BBC Sport The Guardian Sport Sky Sports

Latest Updates

•Potter's contract with Sweden extended until 2030.
•Victory over Poland secured World Cup qualification.
•Gyokeres scored the winner in the playoffs.
•Potter reflects on overcoming personal setbacks.
•He feels deeply connected to Swedish culture and football.

Latest Updates

11:06 AMYahoo Sports — Potter's Zlatan texts, overcoming failure & finding joy in Sweden
11:06 AMBBC Sport — Potter's Zlatan texts, overcoming failure & finding joy in Sweden
11:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Graham Potter: ‘I feel very Swedish when I’m working – I look a bit Swedish’

What they're saying

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Head coach looks forward to leading Sweden at World Cup after reflecting on failures with Chelsea and West Ham If management has taught Graham Potter anything it is that there is no point in trying to run away from failure. “You’ve got to face the bad stuff,” the 51-year-old says as he thinks about how he recovered from bruising spells at Chelsea and West Ham. “The more you face it, the more chance your life is better. Then you get these beautiful moments.” Potter is in reflective, occasionally punchy mood during a long conversation about a rollercoaster few years and the brutal life of a football manager. He points out there have also been some successes – he has, after all, lifted Sweden out of the doldrums and led them into the World Cup – but knows people tend to focus on the lows. Potter lasted seven months at Chelsea after leaving the stability of Brighton in September 2022. Then, after a long spell out, he was tempted back when West Ham came calling at the start of last year. Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Jacob Steinberg

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It is more than two months since Viktor Gyokeres's 89th-minute goal sealed Sweden's extraordinary World Cup play-off victory over Poland at a delirious Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, but Graham Potter is still finding new ways to enjoy it.
— Sky Sports