Victor Lindelof Misses Sweden's Dressing Room Party After World Cup Qualification
Victor Lindelof, the captain of the Swedish national football team, was unable to join his teammates in the immediate post-match celebrations after Sweden secured their place at the 2026 World Cup. The Aston Villa defender was required to undergo a mandatory doping control test, which caused him to miss the wild champagne-spraying scenes in the dressing room.
Historic Qualification and Missed Celebrations
Sweden qualified for the World Cup thanks to an 88th-minute winning goal from Viktor Gyokeres against Poland in their final qualifier on Tuesday. Lindelof, who captained the side for the full ninety minutes, reveled in the jubilant on-pitch scenes at the final whistle. However, doping control officers intercepted him in the tunnel, preventing him from participating in the initial celebrations.
In the dressing room, Sweden's players drenched Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson with champagne, with defender Gustaf Lagerbielke leading the charge. Midfielder Besfort Zeneli described the scene as wild, noting that everyone was sprayed, though he managed to hide behind others. Lindelof later remarked that when he returned, the floor was soaking wet, indicating a good time was had by all.
Making Up for Lost Time
Despite missing the dressing room festivities and even a celebratory beer, Lindelof made up for it later. He was seen carrying two beers upon arriving at the team hotel and then led the squad's celebrations at an exclusive nightclub in Stockholm. The players first returned to their hotel to change into casual attire, ranging from hoodies to designer jackets, before heading to Stureplan, a lively public square.
Lindelof, a veteran of the national team, was spotted carrying a Sweden flag into the V nightclub, which the team entered via a garage at Sturecompagniet. The celebrations continued into the early hours, with Lindelof's wife posting a selfie on her Instagram story from bed sometime after 4 a.m., hinting at the late-night partying.
Player Reactions and Future Plans
Ahead of the celebrations, Lindelof joked about his dancing skills, saying, "I'm pretty good at dancing, give me a few units and I'll be strong. I'm definitely not the first to leave, I'm usually the last." He also expressed confidence in leading the party, given his experience as captain.
Gyokeres, who scored the crucial goal, had vowed to "party like never before," and the squad delivered. Midfielder Besfort Zeneli echoed this sentiment, telling Sportbladet, "I don’t think the club will be too happy about this interview but there will be no sleep tonight." Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall acknowledged the long night ahead and hoped for a day off the following day.
World Cup Group and Tournament Outlook
Sweden's victory places them in Group F at the 2026 World Cup, alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. Lindelof and his teammates will begin their tournament campaign against Tunisia on June 15. This qualification marks a significant achievement for the team, building on Gyokeres' earlier hat-trick against Ukraine in the play-off semi-final.
The night's events highlight the blend of professional obligations and celebratory spirit in football, as Lindelof balanced doping protocols with leading his team in well-deserved revelry after a historic qualification.
