Sweden's Football Stars Celebrate World Cup Qualification with All-Night Party
Viktor Gyokeres and his Sweden teammates embarked on wild celebrations after securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a dramatic last-minute victory over Poland. The Arsenal striker, who scored an 88th-minute winner, had vowed to "party like never before" in his post-match interview, and the squad delivered on that promise with an unforgettable night in Stockholm.
From Dressing Room Champagne to Exclusive Nightclubs
The celebrations began in the dressing room, where players sprayed champagne, even dousing Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. From there, the team returned to their hotel to change into casual attire, ranging from hoodies to designer jackets, before heading to Stureplan, a vibrant public square in central Stockholm.
They entered the exclusive V nightclub through a garage at Sturecompagniet, with Aston Villa's Victor Lindelof leading the way, carrying two beers and a Sweden flag. Lindelof, the team captain, had earlier hinted at the festivities, saying, "There will probably be a lot of good drinking, a little dancing and then we'll see where it leads us."
No Sleep for Sweden's Heroes
Midfielder Besfort Zeneli confirmed the party would last all night, stating, "I don’t think the club will be too happy about this interview but there will be no sleep tonight." His words proved accurate, as Lindelof's wife later posted an Instagram selfie from bed after 4am, indicating the players partied until the early hours.
Zeneli also praised Lindelof's leadership in organizing the celebrations, noting, "He’s the most experienced. He should know a little. He probably knows how and what we should do. I believe in him." Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall added that the team expected a day off following the long night.
Gyokeres' Heroics Spark Jubilation
The wild party was fueled by Gyokeres' recent heroics. Last Thursday, he scored a stunning hat-trick against Ukraine to set up the play-off final against Poland. In that decisive match, his late winner sparked jubilant scenes on the pitch and in the stands, saving the day for manager Graham Potter.
With this victory, Sweden joins Group F at the 2026 World Cup, alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. They will kick off their tournament against Tunisia on June 15, but for now, the focus remains on celebrating a hard-earned qualification.
