EXCLUSIVE: Sweden's Taha Ali 'ready' for the World Cup if the call-up comes

[p]One big plus for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ali-taha/no0y4BJ5/"]Ali[/a] is that he has already caught the eye of new [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sweden/OQyqbHWB/"]Sweden[/a] boss, Graham Potter, who included the 27-year-old as one as only five Sweden-based players in his squad for March's play-offs, where the Swedes beat [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ukraine/j1JtDMwo/"]Ukraine[/a] and then saw off [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/poland/2HzmcynI/"]Poland[/a] in dramatic fashion to reach the finals.[/p][p]Ali was an unused substitute in both matches, which came over two years on from his only senior cap so far - a 2-1 friendly win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/estonia/YJwM4R15/"]Estonia[/a] - but his chances of going to the tournament have increased since the arrival of the Englishman, who Ali explained made him feel important from their first meeting.[/p][p]Nonetheless, when he spoke to Flashscore after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/malmo-ff/tYNTdpar/"]Malmo[/a]'s 1-0 away win over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aik/lzqk4S68/"]AIK[/a] on Monday 27th, his humility shone through, stressing that nothing is guaranteed. Born in the Stockholm district of Spanga-Tensta to Somali parents, the former Sweden futsal international spoke with passion about the moment Blagult qualified.[/p][image alt="Ali (second left) training before the Poland match last month" id="87acfc98-74ac-4703-982c-b7d43f4b37f8" credit-line="JOHANNA SÄLL/BILDBYRĹN / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia" guid="16d7ad41-c465-41a4-b094-99f93dd04088" original-width="1400" original-height="933" /][p][b]You were part of the squad last month for two incredible games. How did it feel to be part of that, even if you didn’t get on the pitch?[/b][/p][p]"It was one of the best, if not the best, feelings I’ve ever had, and it’s a privilege that not everyone gets. I’m just humble enough to experience that and, of course, I just hope if the chance comes again I will be ready."[/p][p][b]You’re surely going to be using the matches in the next few weeks to make sure you’re in the squad for the World Cup?[/b][/p][p]For sure! I just want to keep improving and hopefully get a lot of points as well so when that time comes I’m one of the players he (Potter) has in his head.[/p][p][b]During the last camp the word was that Potter has brought a lot of new energy to the squad. What can you say about his methods and how he is with you personally?[/b][/p][p]"I would say it’s hard because when I was there we had two games in a week, and it’s not like we are talking every time, but when I first came, the moments when we did have talks he was very down-to-earth - you can talk with him about everything, you feel relaxed around him. It was a great feeling for me as well because I even had a meeting with him before I went to the national team, so even that - him having a meeting with me - feels like ‘wow’, feels like I’m important in that way. So, then when I came to the camp, I’d already met him before, so it made it so much easier for me as well."[/p][p][b]That must have meant a lot and given you plenty of confidence?[/b][/p][p]"It was - I would say - vital, to be honest. It felt like when I had that meeting I had my questions answered, and he asked me about certain things. So it felt like the first bridge was already crossed. And then when I do come to the camp I don’t feel like, ‘where do I stand?’, you know? So it was great in that sense."[/p][p][b]There’s still a long way to go, but you really do have the chance to go to the World Cup. Did you ever think you’d be in this position?[/b][/p][p]"Before I would have said I know what qualities I have and I feel like I’ve done it in the Europa League games and generally in Allsvenskan. I know what I can do, but I’m still humble enough where I play in Allsvenskan and I know what kind of players they choose for the national team. So, I have to remember I’m not certain to be one of the World Cup players, but if the chance comes, I’m ready."[/p][p][b]Be honest, have you been looking at the defensive weaknesses of Sweden's Group F opponents [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/japan/ULXPdOUj/"]Japan[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/netherlands/WYintcWb/"]Netherlands[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tunisia/QqZVYk95/"]Tunisia[/a] to see where you can hurt them?[/b][/p][p]"No, no, no! ([i]Laughs[/i]) Still a long time until then! Hopefully if I do get called up then I’ll be sure to watch them!"[/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/soccer/world/world-cup/"]Get ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Flashscore.[/a][/b][/p]