Heartbreak for Robert Lewandowski as World Cup 2026 hopes ended by Sweden

Warsaw, Tuesday – Robert Lewandowski’s last realistic chance to grace a World Cup ended in anguish here as Poland fell 3-2 to Sweden in the play-off final, sealing the striker’s exclusion from the 2026 tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The pulsating contest swung from the first whistle. Sweden struck early through Anthony Elanga, only for Nicola Zalewski to arrow home an equaliser that briefly ignited home hopes. Gustaf Lagerbielke restored the visitors’ lead on the stroke of half-time, and although Karol Swiderski dragged Poland level again midway through the second half, the decisive blow arrived three minutes from time. Viktor Gyokeres latched onto a loose ball to smash home the winner, sending Sweden through and reducing the national stadium to stunned silence.

For Lewandowski, the final whistle confirmed the cruellest of career milestones: a fifth World Cup qualifying campaign without reaching the finals. The 37-year-old left the pitch head bowed, applauding the scattered Polish support as reality set in that his international calendar no longer offers a World Cup chapter.

The result simultaneously propels Sweden into a summer group featuring Tunisia, the Netherlands and Japan, and offers a bright footnote to Barcelona colleague Roony Bardghji, who will join the Scandinavian squad for the expanded 48-team event.

Attention now turns to Lewandowski’s club future. His Barcelona deal expires in June, and neither the player nor the Catalan club have indicated whether fresh terms will be signed or whether one of Europe’s most prolific marksmen will seek a new challenge elsewhere.

Sweden celebrate a return to the global stage, while Poland begin the post-Lewandowski era wondering what might have been.