Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren’s mysterious exclusion from Sweden team vs Slovenia explained

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International week is over and it has produced a number of dramatic moments for Celtic supporters.

Celtic star Kieran Tierney’s Scotland goal has hit the headlines as he helped the national side qualify for the first World Cup since France 98.

Unfortunately, that meant heartbreak for his Celtic teammate Kasper Schmeichel who now must face a play-off tie next year.

However, after Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren created Sweden history at the weekend, many would have thought he was a shoo-in to start for Graham Potter against Slovenia.

It wasn’t to be as Nygren was mysteriously left out of the Sweden starting XI and it caused concern amongst the Celtic supporters online.

• READ MORE: BBC Radio Scotland team’s spine-tingling reaction to Celtic icon Kieran Tierney’s goal vs Denmark

Sweden boss Graham Potter rests Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren

Graham Potter knows that Sweden were already guaranteed a play-off place next March despite finishing bottom of his World Cup qualifying group.

Winning the Nations League earlier this season, guaranteed that. Explaining his Sweden team selection against Slovenia, Potter said he was looking to rest several of his key players for the meaningless match.

Potter told Fotbollskanalen, “It’s something we need to consider. At the same time, we’re in a situation where we need to recover from the game against Switzerland and make sure everyone is okay physically.

“We have some decisions to make before the game. But we have time (until kick-off).

“This is something we will consider. The match in March is important.”

Sweden drew their final group game at home with Slovenia 1-1.

Who Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren could face with Sweden in the 2026 World Cup play-offs

Nygren will have the chance to add to his seven Sweden caps when the World Cup play-offs in March resume.

Here is who the Celtic midfielder could potentially face:

• Play-off opponents: Italy, Ukraine, Turkey, Denmark
• Potential semi-final opponents: Wales, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Kosovo, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania

Whoever is remaining after the play-off and semi-final will meet in the final match to determine who joins Scotland at next summer’s tournament.