Viktor Johansson has played every minute in the league so far for Stoke City since joining in the summer of 2024
14:18, 17 Nov 2025
Viktor Johansson lines up alongside Isak Hien as Sweden take on Switzerland on Saturday.(Image: Daniela Porcelli – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Viktor Johansson is hoping to be fit for Sweden’s final World Cup qualifying match after being left out of training today.
The Stoke City number one stayed in the gym for individual work ahead of a home game against Slovenia tomorrow (Tuesday, 7.45pm) and new manager Graham Potter is waiting before he makes his decision on selection.
Johansson has worked his way up to the top of the pecking order with his national team thanks to his brilliant form with Stoke over the last 15 months. Potter was in the stands to watch him keep a clean sheet against Portsmouth recently.
Sweden have had a tough qualifying campaign and their chances of making the top two ended when they lost 4-1 to Switzerland on Saturday. They now face Slovenia hoping to at least finish in third.
Potter and Johansson have still won a play-off spot thanks to their in the Nations League last season. They will join the 12 group runners-up plus three other 2024/25 Nations League group winners – Romania, Northern Ireland and either Wales or North Macedonia. Either Wales or Macedonia will go through as runners-up too. The play-offs will take place in March.
That is four months away but Sweden are hoping to go into the winter in a positive mood and Potter will want Johansson available if possible.
Petra Thoren, Sweden’s national team press officer, said: “After a joint assessment between the medical and sports teams, it is an individual plan in the gym today that applies to (Johansson).”
Potter added at a pre-match press conference: “He’s recovering today. We’ll see how he reacts and then make the decision that’s best for us.”
Johansson will fly back to the UK after this match to join a Stoke squad preparing to take on his old club Leicester in the Championship this weekend (Saturday, 3pm).
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