Press Officer cites ‘personal reasons’ as Newcastle United star departs international squad early | OneFootball

Newcastle United star Anthony Elanga has left the Sweden camp early.

This is ahead of their final World Cup group qualifier that will be played on Tuesday at home to Slovenia.

Press officer for the Sweden national side, Petra Thoren, citing ‘personal reasons’ for the decision.

Sweden are back in Stockholm after the latest loss, Switzerland winning 4-1 and Anthony Elanga playing the first 78 minutes.

Fotbllskanalen reporting that Anthony Elanga also missed an international match against Algeria in June, that time it was also “personal reasons” given as the cause.

Sweden have had a dismal World Cup qualifying group and all they have to play for tomorrow night, is to try and win against Slovenia so that they don’t finish bottom of the group.

Hopefully this is a case of Anthony Elanga requesting to leave the Sweden camp early, so that he can be in the best possible shape for this Saturday’s huge Newcastle v Man City match, if he is called upon.

This is the November 2025 international schedule for Newcastle United players:

Thursday 13 November

Sandro Tonali playing the full match in this World Cup group qualifier and though it took until the 88th minute for the away side to score, they fully deserved the eventual 2-0 win. Tonali the key figure in midfield as a much changed and weakened Italy side dominated throughout (28 v 3 on shots, 13 v 1 corners, 65 v 3 player touches of the ball in the opposition box) but struggled to convert that into goals.

England 2 Serbia 0

A dominant England performance with a classy Saka strike giving the hosts a half-time lead. Dan Burn watched on from the bench as the Three Lions failed to take their chances, until the 90th minute, Eze matching Saka with the quality of his  finish.

Friday 14 November

Luxembourg 0  Germany 2

Two quality second half finishes from Nick Woltemade, the first with his left and second using his right boot, firing Germany to this crucial 2-0 victory. They now just need to avoid defeat at home to Slovakia on Monday to automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Great to see Malick Thiaw as well get on the pitch, subbed on in the 79th minute as Woltemade played the full game.

Saturday 15 November

Brazil 2 Senegal 0

Bruno Guimaraes excelling in this friendly at the Emirates Stadium.

A superb performance in defence and attack, with Goal giving no Brazil player a higher rating than the 8 out of 10 they awarded the NUFC star, describing his contribution as; ‘A complete performance by a complete player.’

Switzerland 4 Sweden 1

Anthony Elanga started and played the opening 78 minutes, a match where the Sweden midfield struggled to get control and the defence proving vulnerable. The Newcastle United winger subbed off on 78 minutes with the score at 3-1, whilst Emil Krafth was an unused sub. A shocking story so far with one point from five group matches so far, Sweden will finish bottom unless they win against Slovenia on Tuesday. The Swedes hitting lucky though, as they have managed to fluke a place in the play-offs for these World Cup finals, thanks to Nations League results a while ago.

Sunday 16 November

Albania 0 England 2

Dan Burn picking up his fourth start in this fifth England appearance for the Newcastle defender. The final World Cup group qualifier seeing England the better team but with seven changes made, not quite as fluent. Dan Burn putting in a decent shift and created a great chance that Bellingham should have finished. Harry Kane with two goals in the final 16 minutes of normal time, sealed yet another England victory.

Italy 1 Norway 4

As Gattuso said he would, Sandro Tonali not risked, as a yellow card would have seen him suspended when it came to the play-offs in March 2026 for the World Cup finals.

Only three points between the two teams ahead of this final group match, but Norway had a 17 goal advantage on GD, meaning Italy would have had to win by nine goals to automatically qualify. Italy took the lead but four goals in the second half, including two from Haaland, saw a below strength home side well beaten.

Monday 17 November

Germany v Slovakia (Nick Woltemade, Malick Thiaw) World Cup group qualifier

Tuesday 18 November

Brazil v Tunisia (Bruno Guimaraes) Friendly at neutral venue (Lille)