Poland’s impressive run to World Cup qualification proposed dark-horse status in Qatar, but manager Paulo Sousa’s sudden departure in December has left much to prove.
Sousa guided Robert Lewandowski and co to second place in Group I behind England before leaving his post to join Brazilian side Flamengo.
Czeslaw Michniewicz is the new man aiming to play Poland’s first World Cup knockout game since 1986. In his second game, the former Legia Warsaw boss secured a 2-0 win over Sweden in the European play-off final to seal qualification.
With a squad that mixes experienced stars with career journeymen and unproven young talent, Michniewicz’s key task will be to unlock Lewandowski in what could be the captain’s last World Cup.
Poland World Cup squad 2022
Record topscorer Robert Lewandowski will once again lead the line for Poland at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
He’ll captain the European nation’s squad with the likes of experienced pair Kamil Gilk and Grzegorz Krychowiak amongst its ranks, whilst Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski will be expected to provide the magic in midfield.
Aston Villa’s Matty Cash will also turn out for the Eagles at the World Cup after switching allegiances from his homeland England to represent Poland where his mother was born.
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 | Mateusz Wieteska | Clermont (FRA) | 25 | 1 |
Defender | Nicola Zalewski | Roma (ITA) | 20 | 7 |
Defender | Artur Jedrzejczyk | Legia Warsaw (POL) | 34 | 40 |
Midfielder | Michal Skoras | Lech Poznan (POL) | 22 | 1 |
Midfielder | Grzegorz Krychowiak | Al Shabab (SAU) | 32 | 93 |
Midfielder | Piotr Zielinski | Napoli (ITA) | 28 | 74 |
Midfielder | Krystian Bielik | Birmingham (ENG) | 24 | 5 |
Midfielder | Kamil Grosicki | Pogon Szczecin (POL) | 34 | 86 |
Midfielder | Przemyslaw Frankowski | Lens (FRA) | 27 | 25 |
Midfielder | Sebastian Szymanski | Feyenoord (NED) | 23 | 17 |
Midfielder | Damian Szymanski | AEK Athens (GRE) | 27 | 8 |
Midfielder | Szymon Zurkowski | Fiorentina (ITA) | 25 | 6 |
Midfielder | Jakub Kaminski | Wolfsburg (GER) | 20 | 3 |
Forward | Krzysztof Piatek | Salernitana (ITA) | 27 | 10 |
Forward | Karol Swiderski | Charlotte (USA) | 25 | 17 |
Forward | Arkadiusz Milik | Juventus (ITA) | 28 | 63 |
Forward | Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona (SPA) | 34 | 134 |
Poland World Cup group
Excluding any major shocks from Saudi Arabia, the tournament’s lowest-ranked nation bar one, Mexico and Argentina will be Poland’s big rivals for progression from Group C.
That sets up the opener against Mexico as a nail-biter. Both teams will be desperate to get ahead before facing the formidable Lionel Messi and his cavalry of Argentinian superstars.
Poland Group C fixtures and match schedule
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 |