Kafaji made her first start in the A-team earlier this year, also in an important playoff. On that occasion, against Bosnia-Herzegovina, it was about not falling down to the lower divisions of the Nations League.
When she starts again today in the offensive, central role on Sweden's midfield, a European Championship spot is at stake. Tonight's match in Esche-sur-Alzette is the first of two against Luxembourg, the second will be played in Gothenburg on Tuesday, and the winner of the double match will advance to a decisive playoff for a ticket to the European Championship in Switzerland next year.
Besides Kafaji, it can be noted that Juventus' Hanna Bennison takes the place alongside Filippa Angeldahl further down on the midfield. Amanda Nildén, who has started the season well in Tottenham, starts as left-back ahead of Hammarby's Jonna Andersson.
Sweden's starting eleven (4-3-3): Zecira Musovic – Hanna Lundkvist, Linda Sembrant, Nathalie Björn, Amanda Nildén – Filippa Angeldahl, Rosa Kafaji, Hanna Bennison – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö.
Bayern München defender Magdalena Eriksson, who recently made a comeback from injury, and Wolfsburg forward Rebecka Blomqvist are left out of tonight's match squad.
Substitutes: Jennifer Falk (gk), Tove Enblom (gk), Jonna Andersson, Hanna Wijk, Matilda Vinberg, Kosovare Asllani, Sofia Jakobsson, Emma Kullberg, Julia Zigiotti Olme, Evelyn Ijeh, Josefine Rybrink, Anna Anvegård.
The match kicks off at 19.30.
