Alexander Isak watched from the bench as Sweden drew 1-1 at home to Slovenia in their final World Cup qualifier, with the Liverpool striker yet to start a game since October 22
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 18: Swedish player Alexander Isak (9) is seen on the bench during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers Group B match between Sweden and Slovenia at Strawberry Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Atila Altuntas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Alexander Isak didn't feature for Sweden on Tuesday(Image: Atila Altuntas/Anadolu via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Liverpool star Alexander Isak was an unused substitute for Sweden on Tuesday in order to avoid a potential ban. Isak, 26, watched from the bench in Stockholm as his country snatched a late 1-1 draw with Slovenia and wrapped up their miserable World Cup qualifying campaign.
It marked the third consecutive game that Liverpool's £125million signing hadn't been named in the starting line-up. Isak was also an unused substitute in the Reds' crushing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City before playing 28 minutes as Sweden were thrashed 4-1 by Switzerland on Saturday.
The Swedes finished bottom of Group B, mustering just two points from six games. Their dismal form under Jon Dahl Tomasson led to a change of manager last month, as former West Ham boss Graham Potter was appointed on a short-term basis.
That's because Sweden still have a chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, as their excellent Nations League campaign earned them a spot in the play-offs. Sweden will face one of Italy, Turkey, Denmark or Ukraine away from home in a one-legged semi-final and Isak was one of nine Swedish players at risk of suspension.
Yellow cards are carried over into the play-off semi-finals and Isak had already picked up a booking during Sweden's 2-0 loss against Kosovo in September. A second yellow or a sending off would've resulted in him being banned for the match on March 26.
Sweden chief Stefan Patterson told Sportbladet: "We are getting some supplementary letters from FIFA and UEFA about these things. I want to double-check what they might say.
"Before the next match we will know with 100 percent certainty what applies. There is no panic about it now. It certainly can [impact team selection]. But it is Graham who makes the final decisions regarding the team selection. But it is clear that it can have an impact."
SOLNA, SWEDEN - NOVEMBER 18: Graham Potter head coach of Sweden during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Sweden and Slovenia at Strawberry Arena on November 18, 2025 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
Graham Potter decided to leave Alexander Isak on the bench
View 2 Images
Post-match, Potter addressed the decision to leave Isak and others on the bench. "Not an ideal situation," the ex-Swansea, Brighton, and Chelsea manager confessed. "You don't want players who go on the pitch and can't be aggressive. You're not yourself then."
The 26-year-old will be hoping to start his first game in a month when Liverpool welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday. Isak's next opportunity will be when Arne Slot's side resume their Champions League campaign at home to PSV Eindhoven.
Content Image
Content Image