Alexander Isak celebrated on Tuesday night as Sweden earned an unlikely spot at the World Cup – but his involvement will have an impact on Liverpool’s plans.
Sweden have qualified for the 2026 World Cup after overcoming Ukraine and Poland in their playoffs this month – beating the latter 3-2 in Tuesday’s final.
They did so without Liverpool striker Isak, who is nearing a return from a broken leg but was deemed not ready to join Graham Potter’s squad.
But if fit the 26-year-old is guaranteed to join Sweden at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, which kicks off on June 11 and sees them play Tunisia, Netherlands and Japan in Group F.
SEVILLE, SPAIN - JUNE 14: Viktor Claesson of Sweden replaces team mates Alexander Isak during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group E match between Spain and Sweden at the La Cartuja Stadium on June 14, 2021 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago - UEFA)
Sweden World Cup Fixtures: Group F
|Date|June 14, 2026|June 20, 2026|June 25, 2026|
|---|---|---|
|Opponent|Tunisia|Netherlands|Japan|
For Liverpool, the news will be bittersweet, with Arne Slot having hoped for a full pre-season with his No. 9 after his struggle to adjust following a £125 million move from Newcastle.
Having trained alone throughout the summer as he attempted to force through a transfer, Isak arrived short of fitness and suffered a number of setbacks as a result.
Though clearly a broken leg in the 2-1 win over Tottenham in December was the result of a shocking challenge from Micky van de Ven rather than any existing issues, it has only further delayed his progress.
Isak will rejoin team sessions at the AXA Training Centre this week and is expected to be available for the Champions League quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But there is an understanding that he will not feature prominently between now and the end of the season, with Slot downplaying hopes of a major role until 2026/27.
However with Sweden now qualified for the World Cup it means Isak will miss at least the start of Liverpool’s pre-season preparations in July, and if they advance to the knockout stages he could be absent for the majority.
That would be a concern for Liverpool’s medical staff, who would have hoped to put the striker through a bespoke fitness regime to ensure he is at 100 percent heading into the new season.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Liverpool's new signing Alexander Isak during the UEFA Champions League match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool 2026 Pre-Season USA Tour Fixtures
Sunderland: Nashville, GEODIS Park – Saturday, July 25
Wrexham: New York, Yankee Stadium – Wednesday, July 29
Leeds: Chicago, Soldier Field – Sunday, August 2
Instead it could be a case of playing catch-up again and the focus could instead shift to another ‘pre-season’ in the final months of the current campaign.
This would at least ensure Isak is in the best shape possible before the World Cup and Liverpool could then look to build on any momentum from Sweden’s tournament when he reports back for their summer preparations.
Liverpool have already announced a tour of the United States as part of their pre-season plans, with friendlies against Sunderland (Nashville, July 25), Wrexham (New York, July 29) and Leeds (Chicago, August 2).