Polish fans might want a better performance at this year’s World Cup than the last one. Their poor performance in the 2018 World Cup made them finish at the bottom of the group H table. Poland lost the first two league games against Senegal and Colombia respectively which ended their hope to advance to the knockout stage. They, however, managed to pull a win in their last league game against Japan.
So, they might be hoping for a highly improved performance in Qatar. So take a look at Poland’s 26-man squad for Qatar World Cup 2022.
Possible 26-Man Squad For Poland In FIFA 2022 World Cup
Position | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
---|---|---|---|---|
Goalkeeper | Wojciech Szczesny | Juventus (ITA) | 32 | 66 |
Goalkeeper | Bartlomiej Dragowski | Spezia (ITA) | 25 | 2 |
Goalkeeper | Lukasz Skorupski | Bologna (ITA) | 31 | 7 |
Defender | Jan Bednarek | Aston Villa (ENG) | 26 | 44 |
Defender | Kamil Glik | Benevento (ITA) | 34 | 98 |
Defender | Matty Cash | Aston Villa (ENG) | 25 | 7 |
Defender | Jakub Kiwior | Spezia (ITA) | 22 | 2 |
Defender | Robert Gumny | FC Augsburg (GER) | 24 | 4 |
Defender | Bartosz Bereszynski | Sampdoria (ITA) | 30 | 45 |
Defender | Tomasz Kedziora | Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) | 28 | 26 |
Defender | Arkadiusz Reca | Spezia (ITA) | 27 | 15 |
Defender | Nicola Zalewski | Roma (ITA) | 20 | 7 |
Midfielder | Grzegorz Krychowiak | Al Shabab (SAU) | 32 | 93 |
Midfielder | Mateusz Klich | Leeds United (ENG) | 32 | 41 |
Midfielder | Piotr Zielinski | Napoli (ITA) | 28 | 74 |
Midfielder | Karol Linetty | Torino (ENG) | 27 | 42 |
Midfielder | Przemyslaw Frankowski | Lens (FRA) | 27 | 25 |
Midfielder | Sebastian Szymanski | Feyenoord (NED) | 23 | 17 |
Midfielder | Szymon Zurkowski | Fiorentina (ITA) | 25 | 6 |
Midfielder | Jakub Kaminski | Wolfsburg (GER) | 20 | 3 |
Midfielder | Kamil Grosicki | Pogon Szczecin (POL) | 34 | 86 |
Midfielder | Jacek Goralski | VFL Bochum (GER) | 30 | 21 |
Forward | Krzysztof Pitaek | Salernitana (ITA) | 27 | 10 |
Forward | Karol Swiderski | Charlotte (USA) | 25 | 17 |
Forward | Arkadiusz Milik | Juventus (ITA) | 28 | 63 |
Forward | Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona (ESP) | 34 | 134 |
Who Will Poland Face In The Group Stage?
They are in group C set to face the traditional favorite Argentina led by none other than Lionel Messi. The next two opponents for Lewandowski and co are Saudi Arabia and Mexico.
Poland Group Fixtures
Date | Match | Time (ET) | Stadium |
Tues, Nov. 22 | Mexico vs. Poland | 11 a.m. | Stadium 974 |
Sat, Nov. 26 | Poland vs. S. Arabia | 8 a.m. | Education City Stadium |
Wed, Nov. 30 | Poland vs. Argentina | 2 p.m. | Stadium 974 |
Will They Cause Some Upset For Their Group Opponents?
First off, they secured a comfortable 2-0 win over not just any team but Sweden to secure a place in the group stages of the upcoming world cup despite the Swedes being the favorites. That more than shows their ability to defy expectations and their presence already has made their group what people would say the group of death. While Argentina and Mexico are clear bets, the latter shouldn’t be taking the Eagles lightly by any stretch of the imagination. Even for the Copa America winners, Poland very much has a chance to make them struggle to win the top position by either a draw which they are enough capable of if not defeat them.
Add to all that, they have arguably the best poacher in the world of football, Lewandowski who has been on an impressive scoring streak for more than seven years.
Poland At Their Best The 11 Men
Wojciech Szczesny will definitely get the place at the back considering his years of record playing for some of the elite European clubs.
Next ahead of him will very likely be the partnership of defenders Bednarek, Glik, and Kiwior.
Poland’s midfield is usually considered stable when they have a multitude of players including Zielinsky, Grosicki, Szymanski, Linetty, Frankowski, and Krychowiak.
The front is undeniably reserved for their all-time top scorer, Robert Lewandowski.
Poland Strengths
As mentioned the victory over Sweden has given them a big attitude boost. But their biggest strength will be the presence of numerous-time Europe’s top scorer, Robert Lewandowski. When the man is on their lineup, the opponents will have no choice but to slide some men from their mid or even front to make their back more compact.
Aiding him will be Piotr Zielinski who has also been in form with Napoli’s impressive UCL group stage journey.
Poland Weaknesses
Poland’s recent stats might give their opponents some bit of confidence. The White Reds have only managed to secure one win in their last five games. Having said that in addition to a new manager, they are yet to find the momentum and now they have to do that at the grand level which will be bringing them further pressure. And any team can easily wound the squad going through even a bit transitional span.
Excluding that they also have a bit of a communication problem between Lewandowski and their midfielders. The men handling the pivot have often been criticized for their lack of creativity and efficiency to get the ball to their power forward.