Tony Gustavsson Sets Sights on Brazil as Sweden Begins World Cup Qualification

Sweden’s women’s national football team kicked off their qualification campaign for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 1-0 away victory, a result that pleased head coach Tony Gustavsson. The win against what he described as the group’s toughest opponent was a positive start as Sweden aims to compete in Brazil.

Dreaming of Brazil

Gustavsson emphasized the importance of visualizing success and setting Brazil as the ultimate goal. “We seek to dream of Brazil. To have it as a vision and a dream. And to really dare to smell, gaze, visualize and feel that ‘we want to go there’,” he stated. He clarified that the focus isn’t merely on winning individual matches, but on securing a place in the tournament. “It’s not about winning a game. It’s about winning a ticket to the World Cup in Brazil,” Gustavsson added.

Stina Blackstenius’ Situation

The team faced a situation with key player Stina Blackstenius, who left the squad last week due to family reasons. Gustavsson expressed hope that she would be able to rejoin the team for the upcoming match against Serbia, but acknowledged the priority is supporting her during this time. “Out of respect for family reasons, I can’t comment, but I had hope until the last minute,” he said. Currently, his thoughts are with Blackstenius as she deals with personal matters.

Gustavsson’s Career Highlights

Tony Gustavsson, born August 14, 1973, is a Swedish football manager currently leading the Sweden women’s national team. His career includes significant achievements in women’s football, notably leading Tyresö FF to the 2014 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final. He also served as an assistant coach for the United States women’s national team during their World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, and guided Australia’s “Matildas” to their best finishes at the Olympic Games in 2020 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 [1].

Prior to his managerial roles, Gustavsson had a playing career spanning from 1989 to 2005, playing for clubs including IFK Sundsvall, Orlando Lions, and Ytterhogdals IK [1].

Recent reports suggest that Gustavsson may be sacked following the Matildas’ performance after the 2024 Summer Olympics [1].

Sources:

FIFA, Sweden Herald, Wikipedia