Sweden beat four-time champions Italy to World Cup spot

Sweden sent shockwaves through world soccer on Monday by beating Italy in their World Cup qualifying playoff, securing a berth for themselves and knocking Italy out of the competition for the first time in decades.

For the first time since 1958 and only the second time ever, the Italian national team will not qualify for the World Cup. A 0-0 draw with Sweden in the second leg of the European play-off round sealed their fate, after the Azzurri lost 1-0 in the first leg on Friday.

Even without our iconic star, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Sweden defied expectations and played well enough to deserve their spot in the country’s first World Cup since 2006.

Now the big question everybody is asking is: could Zlatan Ibrahimovic be set to make a return to international football after Sweden qualified for the World Cup?

The Manchester United striker is Sweden’s all-time top scorer with 62 goals in 116 appearances, and could be attempting option for manager Janne Andersson should the forward declare himself available for selection.

Will he play?

Who knows, no team in the world turns down Zlatan Ibrahimovic.