Ranked 19 places below Belgium in 23rd, Sweden seemingly have their work cut out to get their qualification campaign off to a flying start. Still, they should be boosted by winning nearly three-quarters of their last 22 home Euro qualifiers dating back to 2006.
Sweden
Having appeared in the last six European Championships, Sweden will face the most challenging task Group F has to offer in their opening game when they welcome FIFA’s #4 ranked side, Belgium. Ranked 19 places below Belgium in 23rd, Sweden seemingly have their work cut out to get their qualification campaign off to a flying start. Still, they should be boosted by winning nearly three-quarters of their last 22 home Euro qualifiers dating back to 2006. The overriding story of this duo of qualifiers for Sweden leading into the week is that 41-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimović has been recalled to the squad despite making just four appearances for AC Milan this season. With 62 international goals, Ibrahimović is Sweden’s leading all-time goalscorer, and his presence in these qualifiers could be a godsend given he has scored in eight of his last nine Euro qualification appearances (inc playoffs).
Belgium
A new era dawns for Belgium after Roberto Martinez’s post-World Cup departure, with Domenico Tedesco taking over the reins. Tedesco inherited a side approaching the twilight of its ‘golden generation’ and has already shown he isn’t afraid to stamp his authority on a misfiring Belgian side by omitting Dries Mertens and Axel Witsel from his latest squad despite the pair holding 239 international caps between them. The primary aim in the infancy of Tedesco’s tenure is undoubtedly to be at the finals in Germany in 2024 simply. With more than one year to knit his side together before the main event, he ought to feel well-placed to make a challenge if they can navigate qualification. They’ll have to do so without Eden Hazard after his retirement from international football. Still, having won seven successive Euro qualification away games, Belgium will hope his presence won’t be sorely missed.
Buoyed by scoring a last-gasp winner for Newcastle before the break, Sweden’s Alexander Isak has registered the second goal of the game with his last four international goals. Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku has made himself at home in Euro qualifiers, netting in five successive games, with the last three of those seeing him assist one too. Belgium have not conceded more than one goal in an away Euro qualifier since 2011.