The official reasons Sandro Tonali & Anthony Elanga withdrew from national squads
Anthony Elanga has become the second Newcastle United player to withdraw from international duty this past week.
Anthony Elanga has withdrawn from the Sweden squad ahead of their final World Cup qualifier match against Slovenia on Tuesday night.
It comes after Sweden’s 4-1 defeat to Switzerland on Saturday as their dismal World Cup qualifying campaign draws to a close.
Despite having the likes of Elanga, Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak - players who commanded transfer fees totalling around £250million combined over the summer - Sweden have picked up just one point and scored three in five World Cup qualifying matches so far.
Graham Potter’s side can no longer qualify for the World Cup by the traditional group method, but will be given a second chance due to their Nations League standing, which grants them an unseeded play-off spot.
Anthony Elanga withdraws from Sweden squad
Elanga started Sweden’s 4-1 defeat to Switzerland, playing 78 minutes of the match as his Newcastle teammate Emil Krafth watched on from the bench.
Krafth had been drafted into the squad last minute following the withdrawal of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall.
Swedish outlet, Fotbollskanalen, reported that Elanga has left the Sweden camp ahead of the final World Cup qualifier match due to ‘personal reasons’, as confirmed by the national team’s press officer.
Elanga previously withdrew from the Sweden squad in June for personal reasons, weeks before securing a £55million move to Newcastle.
Following the defeat to Switzerland, Elanga said: “I felt really good. It was my first start in a long time in any competition. I’m happy to start for the national team, it’s a great honour and Graham gives me the freedom to be a threat.
“It’s not nice [to lose]. But we played a good first half. It’s hard to take anything positive from a 4-1 loss, but we have to do that. We’ve only been with Graham Potter for four days and yet we were able to show what we did in the first half.
“All the players are positive even though we lost 4-1. We just have to take the positives, do better on Tuesday and then be ready for the playoffs in March.”
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Sandro Tonali withdraws from Italy squad early
The 23-year-old is the second Newcastle player to withdraw from their respective international squad after Sandro Tonali dropped out of the Italy squad due to his risk of suspension. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Tonali was ‘not 100% fit’ following his withdrawal, while Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso stated last week that it was his intention not to involve the Newcastle midfielder in the Norway match on Sunday.
Italy lost the game 4-1 and will now enter the play-offs after finishing runners-up in their group.
In his press conference, the AC Milan and Italy legend said: “I spoke to Sandro Tonali 10 days ago.
“Surely we can’t afford to miss an important player like him for the semi-finals [in March 2026]. I think it is difficult that he will play against Norway.”
Tonali is expected to be available for Saturday’s match against Manchester City at St James’ Park (5:30pm kick-off) but will be assessed further upon his return to Tyneside.
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Anthony Elanga’s tough start to life at Newcastle
Elanga has struggled to live up to his £55million price-tag at Newcastle so far with no goals or assists in 17 games in all competitions. The winger has not started any of Newcastle’s last three Premier League matches since being withdrawn at half-time in the defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion last month.
When asked about Elanga’s start on Tyneside, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “Yeah I think it's just adjusting to a different style of play and sometimes that adjustment happens quickly sometimes it takes a little bit longer with certain players.
“Anthony's working very very well I'm really really impressed with his attitude and his desire to do well. His focus and professionalism is at the highest quality so I really really back him.