Kosovo Claims Historic Victory Over Sweden in World Cup 2026 Qualifying Match

Historic Triumph for Kosovo

Kosovo achieved a remarkable milestone by defeating Sweden 2-0 in their FIFA World Cup qualifier match in Pristina, securing their first-ever World Cup qualifying home win. The victory came despite Kosovo finishing the match with 10 men.

Match Highlights

The match saw Kosovo claim their first victory over Sweden, with the opening goal coming from Elvis Rexhbecaj, who scored after being released over the top. The goal came after his initial shot was stopped by Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen, but the ball rebounded off Rexhbecaj into the net.

Kosovo’s momentum continued as Vedat Muriqi, their all-time top scorer, doubled the lead before the break with a clinical finish, converting a two-on-one counter set up by Albion Rrahmani.

Impact on Group Standings

The defeat has dealt a significant blow to Sweden’s campaign, leaving them five points behind group leaders Switzerland. Meanwhile, Kosovo has emerged as their closest challengers after securing their first points of the qualification cycle.

Swedish Struggle

Sweden’s performance was notably poor, managing only an expected goals (xG) total of 0.71 from their 13 shots, compared to Kosovo’s 2.16 from 11 attempts. The result extends Sweden’s winless streak to three games in World Cup qualifying, raising concerns about their potential absence from consecutive World Cup tournaments.

Looking Ahead

Kosovo now faces some challenges with notable absences, including key forwards Vedat Muriqi and Milot Rashica due to injuries, and first-choice goalkeeper Arijanet Muriqi out with illness. The team is focusing on preparation for the upcoming qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.