How will Poland fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SteTudor123 as he looks at the Eagles in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...
Poland History at the World Cup
Two decades after forming a football federation and an international team, Poland qualified for the 1938 edition of the World Cup, remarkably losing 6-5 to Brazil in extra-time after successfully progressing through their group.
Ernest ‘Ezi’ Wilimowski scored four times in that crazy encounter, but it still wasn’t enough, the Ruch Chorzow forward one of the legendary goal-scorers of his day and being blessed with highly prolific strikers appears to be a theme for the proud nation.
Throughout the Seventies, Wlodek Lubanski terrorised defences on the global stage while presently we are witnessing the tail-end of Robert Lewandowski’s phenomenal career.
The second deadliest hit-man to wreak havoc on the Bundesliga has notched 76 times in 134 outings for his country and at 34 years of age will be determined to sign off on his farewell World Cup with yet more goals.
🇵🇱 Poland qualify for a second successive World Cup 👏#UCL pic.twitter.com/m5P7zXyDOz
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 30, 2022
Post-war, Poland endured a long period in the international wilderness, too often the whipping boys to superior sides, but when a golden generation of talent emerged in the early Seventies that all changed dramatically.
Inspired by Grzegorz Lato and Juventus ace Zbigniew Boniek, the Eagles twice reached World Cup semi-finals, exiting at the last 16 stage on a further two occasions. They were now a team to be feared.
Only then came another long era of decline, and it wasn’t until this century that Poland finally began to reclaim a place amongst the upper echelons of world football, participating in three tournaments since 2002.
This time out they are distant outsiders in the World Cup betting but with Lewandowski on a mission nothing can be ruled out.
Poland Nickname
The Polish national side are nicknamed the Eagles in deference to the country’s coat of arms, that displays a white crowned eagle with golden beak and talons.
According to legend, Lech, one of three Slavic brothers who founded several nations across Europe, settled in Poland when he spied the majestic bird on a hunting expedition.
World Cup 2022 Group
Finding themselves in Pot 3 when the draw was made for Qatar 2022 last April, Poland were fortunate enough to be grouped with
Saudi Arabia, the lowest ranked side in the competition, but unfortunate to get Mexico, the best side in Pot 2. Argentina meanwhile, are the group favourites for many reasons, one being a certain Lionel Messi.
Poland Fixtures:
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Poland vs Mexico - 22nd November 2022
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Poland vs Saudi Arabia - 26th November 2022
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Poland vs Argentina - 30th November 2022
Poland Kit World Cup 2022
Nike have really played it safe with both of Poland’s shirts though there is a lot to be said for the understated simplicity of the red away number. The white detail on the cuffs and collar makes for a clean design.
Nowa koszulka reprezentacji Polski jest już dostępna w naszym Sklepie Kibica! 🇵🇱 #KoszulkaMarzenie #KierunekKatar
— Łączy nas piłka (@LaczyNasPilka) September 15, 2022
The less said about the graphic across the shoulders of the home kit however, the better. It is supposed to be an eagle’s nest. Really.
Who Is The Poland Manager?
Czeslaw Michniewicz is something of an unknown quantity, despite the former goalkeeper having Lech Poznan and Legia Warsaw on his coaching C.V.
Taking charge after Paulo Sousa unexpectedly resigned at the very end of 2021, his time at the helm has already gained him a reputation for tinkering, changing formations one game to the next.
To an extent, that makes Poland an unknown quantity too, which is no bad thing.
Best Poland Player
How can it be anyone other than Robert Lewandowski, the formidable forward who has won the European Golden Shoe for the past two campaigns.
Now scoring for fun for Barcelona, after leaving Bayern last summer, the team captain and bona fide superstar has broken more goalscoring records than Luke Shaw has had hot dinners.
FLY-FOOTAGE📽⚽️#Lewandowski pic.twitter.com/Hr3fFV96FV
— FLY-FOOT.com (@fly_foot) October 23, 2022
Poland Odds at World Cup 2022
If Group C goes to type, Argentina top the quartet with Saudi Arabia exiting, possibly after pulling off an upset along the way. That leaves Poland and Mexico duking it out for second spot.
The two nations face one another in their opening fixture, with Michniewicz’s side justifiable slight favourites in the sports betting.
Bet on Poland at the 2022 World Cup with 888sport today!
