Poland’s squad for the 2022 World Cup has been announced, with Robert Lewandowski in charge and the squad in Qatar.
Poland coach Czeslaw Michniewicz has reduced his provisional roster from 47 players to 26 players, with the European squad set to face Argentina, Saudi Arabia and Mexico in Group C of the Qatar World Cup.
For the first time in history, Poland have qualified for four successive major tournaments, but they remain without a “Golden Generation” label.
To be mentioned in the same breath as the World Cup eras of 1974 and 1982, they would probably need to match the third-place finishes of their predecessors – and with key players approaching or well into their 30s, this unit will only be not get much more chances. So: no pressure.
There are concerns when Poland face higher-tier opposition (like, uh, Argentina). They qualified with six wins against San Marino, Andorra and Albania; none on England, nor on Hungary. A 6-1 Nations League loss to Belgium in June only added to those concerns.
Indeed, the spine is incredibly fragile. While the heroic performances of 34-year-old defensive kingpin Kamil Glik remain a trademark, age is slowly catching up with him. In midfield, the random performances of Grzegorz Krychowiak rarely justify his continued selection.
Winning their first game is also a problem. The Eagles have only done so once in the World Cup – in 1974. Since then they have lost three and three of their first draws, and they will face World Cup veterans Mexico in of their first match of the upcoming tournament.
However, the Polish attack is stronger than ever. Krzysztof Piątek and Arek Milik are fit and firing in Serie A after summer transfers, Karol Świderski has quickly become an MLS star and, with nine qualifying goals, Robert Lewandowski continues to be Robert Lewandowski.
He will certainly have to be if Poland is to have a chance of breaking out of the group.
Poland squad for the 2022 World Cup
Poland squad for the 2022 World Cup: the last 26-man squad
- G: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
- GK: Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna)
- GK: Kamil Grabara (Copenhagen)
- Defender: Kamil Glik (Bevenvento)
- Defender: Bartosz Bereszynski (Sampdoria)
- Defender: Jan Bednarek (Aston Villa)
- Defender: Matty Cash (Aston Villa)
- Defender: Robert Gumny (Augsburg)
- Defender: Artur Jędrzejczyk (Legia Warsaw)
- Defender: Jakub Kiwior (Spezia)
- Defender: Mateusz Wieteska (Clermont)
- Defender: Nicola Zalewski (Roma)
- Central midfielder: Piotr Zielinski (SSC Napoli)
- Central midfielder: Kamil Grosicki (Pogon Szczecin)
- MF: Grzegorz Krychowiak (Al-Shabab Riyadh)
- Central midfielder: Damian Szymanski (AEK FC)
- MF: Sebastian Szymanski (Feyenoord Rotterdam)
- MF: Przemyslaw Frankowski (RC Lens)
- FM: Krystian Bielik (Birmingham City)
- MF: Jakub Kamiński (VfL Wolfsburg)
- Midfielder: Michal Skoras (Lech Poznan)
- MF: Szymon Żurkowski (ACF Fiorentina)
- AT: Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona)
- Attacker: Arkadiusz Milik (Juventus FC)
- AT: Krzysztof Pietek (US Salernitana 1919)
- Attacker: Karol Swiderski (Charlotte FC)
Poland top scorers
Poland top scorers
Poland are yet to score at the 2022 World Cup.
Yellow cards Poland
Yellow cards Poland
A yellow: Przemyslaw Frankowski
Manager Poland
Who is Poland’s coach for the 2022 World Cup?
2022 has been a rollercoaster for Czeslaw Michniewicz, who took over from Flamengo-linked Paulo Sousa in January. He has since led his country to qualification and its heaviest defeat since 2010, also threatening to sue a journalist for raising his alleged links to a corruption scandal that plagued the Polish game in the 2000s. Busy.
Poland star player
Who is the best player in Poland?
We are running out of superlatives to describe Robert Lewandowski. There were fears that the 34-year-old’s move to Barcelona would see his form take a dip, but Lewy started life at Camp Nou with the vigor and poise he is renowned for – and then a bit more. Bavaria’s loss is Catalonia’s gain, and Poland hopes to profit from it.
How many players is Poland allowed to bring to the 2022 World Cup?
National managers were allowed to bring 26 players to last summer’s European Championship for the first time at a major tournament, as a special measure introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, 26-man squads will return for the Qatar World Cup, an extension of the usual 23-man squads.
