Poland: The Ultimate 2022 FIFA World Cup Review #18
Yesterday we opened group C with Mexico. Today we'll be reviewing Poland's chances of World Cup success. 32 teams in 32 days! This is the Ultimate FIFA World Cup review guide. Check what we've done so far below.
Group A - Qatar | Ecuador | Senegal | Netherlands
Group B - United States | England | Iran | Wales
Group C - Mexico |
Group F - Canada | Croatia | Morocco | Belgium
Group H - Ghana | Portugal | Uruguay | South Korea
Country: Poland
Nickname: Biało-czerwoni (The White and Red) Orły (The Eagles)
Last World Cup Appearance: 2018 (Group Stage)
Previous World Cup Appearances: 1938, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2018
World Rank: #26
Star Players: Robert Lewandowski, Piotr Zielinski, Wojciech Szczesny
Poland were ranked as high as fifth in the world back in 2017 but were toothless at the 2018 World Cup and were embarrassingly knocked out in the group stages. At Euro 2020 they were again knocked out in the group stages following a loss to Slovakia, a draw with Spain and another loss to Sweden.
They'll be looking to make amends for it in Qatar. It could perhaps suit Poland that they will fall under the radar as not much is expected of them.
In June they started off with a win against fellow World Cup team Wales. A week later a 6-1 loss to Belgium highlighted their weaknesses. They backed it up with a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands and then a 1-0 loss to Belgium.
Based off form it's not looking good but Group C teams overall haven't had a good run heading into the tournament so all is not lost. There's also more to Poland than just Robert Lewandowski.
World Cup Group: Group C - Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Mexico
Prediction: This isn't a great Poland side and they've had some poor results in the lead up to the World Cup. Argentina should dispatch of them but Poland are lucky. Mexico has had a horror run in, and Saudi Arabia are unlikely to have the strike power to overcome Poland.
Lewandowski is the obvious goalscoring threat and I'd expect him to come up big. He'll be close to 38 years old if he played at the next World Cup.
Napoli's Piotr Zielinski will be the key however. It's his link-up play that will create chances for Lewandowski. He's a workhorse in the middle and an exceptional dribbler and he's the key for Poland to progress.
Southampton's Jan Bednarek at centre back and Aston Villa's Matty Cash and right back offer Premier League quality defence and Juventus keeper Wojciech Szczesny a world class keeper between the sticks.
Those five players and a decent support cast of European quality players will sneak them ahead of Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately they'll likely face France if they finished second and we all know how that would end up.
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Poland could be a bit of surprise package and one last chance for Lewandowski who I think will be about 51 next August to shine on the biggest stage in world football.
hahaha, 51! Not that old but I get your point. This is his real big chance! A top striker and a run like Ukraine in 2006 with Shevchenko is a real possibility if they click into gear
I am looking forward to watching the best striker in the world performance at the biggest football event. I don't really see Poland doing a lot but with a striker like Lewandowski anything is possible, goals win games and he is a specialist when it comes to putting the ball at the back of the net, good luck to them.
Yep, I think as long as you've got a striker you can make anything happen. Unfortunately my country Australia hasn't had a good striker in quite some time and it makes a massive difference on the world stage
Poland will undoubtedly present a good World Cup