The Englishman took over in October after Dane Jon Dahl Tomasson was fired following an unsuccessful qualifying campaign.
Now Graham Potter will be allowed to continue regardless of the outcome of the World Cup playoff against Ukraine in Valencia on March 26. If Sweden wins there, a qualifying final awaits against the winner of the Poland–Albania match in Solna on March 31.
“Build a team”
The contract has been extended until 2030. During the period, two World Cups and one European Championship will be held.
From my perspective, nothing changes in the short term, but it gives us time to think about the time after the matches in March. Ultimately, it's not about me, it's about Swedish football. How we can build a team and a culture that makes us competitive and can qualify for the championship, says Potter at a press conference in Solna.
He believes it was not important that the announcement of an extension came before the playoffs as some kind of signal to the players about a long-term commitment.
The players are playing for a place in the World Cup. That's all the motivation you need.
There is an injury crisis ahead of next week's squad selection. Liverpool's star striker Alexander Isak broke his leg in December and looks set to miss the match against Ukraine. There are also question marks over Tottenham duo Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall, but Potter does not want to reveal whether he has already ruled anyone out.
"You'll have to wait until next Wednesday," he says.
Have you had any contact with Robin Olsen?
Again, we can talk about it on Wednesday.
Waited for an eternity
Malmö FF goalkeeper Olsen resigned from the national team in a highly publicized manner last fall. He then commented on Jon Dahl Tomasson's leadership qualities. Later in October, the Dane was fired after Sweden fell out of contention for a direct World Cup place, having taken just one point from four qualifying matches.
There are also big question marks on the goalkeeping side. Viktor Johansson (Stoke) and Jacob Widell Zetterström (Derby) are both out of action at the moment.
If Sweden qualifies for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico (June 11–July 19), games await in a group with the Netherlands, Japan and Tunisia.
"It feels like we've been waiting forever for these two games. We obviously have to win the first one. That's our focus now," says Graham Potter.
The men's national team has missed two straight championships - the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 European Championship.
Born: May 20, 1975 in Solihull, England.
Occupation: Football coach.
Coaching career: Östersund 2011–18, Swansea 2018–19, Brighton 2019–22, Chelsea 2022–23, West Ham 2025, Sweden 2025–.
Playing career: Birmingham 1992–93, Wycombe 1993 (loan), Stoke 1993–96, Southampton 1996–97, West Bromwich 1997–2000, Northampton 1997–98 (loan), Reading 1999 (loan), York 2000–03, Boston 2003–04, Shrewsbury 2003 (loan), Macclesfield 2004–05.
