Poland is set to launch its quest for a tenth appearance in the FIFA World Cup as the national team embarks on its qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament, scheduled to be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This exciting development comes as Poland faces Lithuania in a significant qualifying match.
The history of Poland’s participation in the World Cup is filled with remarkable milestones. The team’s inaugural appearance was preceded by a successful qualification campaign, where they defeated Yugoslavia 4-0 in Warsaw and 1-0 in Belgrade, paving the way for their first-ever World Cup in 1938.
On June 5, 1938, Poland made its World Cup debut against Brazil. The match, held at Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, turned out to be an exhilarating encounter, ending in a dramatic 5-6 loss for Poland after extra time. Notably, Polish striker Ernest Wilimowski scored an impressive four goals, showcasing his talent on the global stage.
Fast forward to 1974, Poland’s team, famously known as “Orły Górskiego” (Górski’s Eagles), inspired by renowned coach Kazimierz Górski, achieved a remarkable third-place finish in the World Cup held in West Germany. In a memorable podium match, they triumphed over Brazil with a score of 1-0.
The road was slightly bumpier in 1978, however, when the team, under coach Jacek Gmoch, was touted as the strongest in history but failed to reach the top four, experiencing disappointment instead.
In 1982, Poland saw a revival of its World Cup fortunes under coach Antoni Piechniczek. The team secured another third-place finish in Spain, characterized by a series of rocky starts but culminating in an impressive 5-1 victory over Peru that highlighted their potential.
The 1986 World Cup brought its own challenges for the Polish squad, who were eliminated in the round of 16 after a tough 0-4 defeat against Brazil in Guadalajara. After this tournament, fans had to wait 16 long years for another Polish World Cup appearance, which came in the 2002 tournament.
During the World Cup 2002 in South Korea and Japan, the team faced an uphill battle, losing its group matches against South Korea and Portugal while managing a bittersweet victory over the USA.
Another disappointing chapter unfolded in 2006 in Germany, as Poland exited early once again after losing the first two games of the group stage, with only Bartosz Bosacki returning home with a sense of pride after scoring both of Poland's goals.
After a twelve-year absence, the Polish team finally made a World Cup return in 2018. Unfortunately, that experience also ended prematurely with losses in the opening matches.
However, the tide began to turn during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Polish team managed to advance past the group stage for the first time since 1986. Though their journey ended in the round of 16 with a 1-3 loss to France, the team earned some respect, despite criticisms regarding their overall performance.
As Poland approaches the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, hope springs anew. The first match against Lithuania, played on March 21, 2025, showcased Poland's dominance with 62% ball possession. The match also highlighted the prowess of star player Robert Lewandowski, who scored in the crucial 90+3 minute, sealing a convincing victory.
With two goals from K. Piatek and an impressive overall performance, Poland appears to be well-prepared for the upcoming challenges in the qualification process. The fans remain hopeful that this journey will culminate in Poland's successful tenth World Cup appearance.
As the team gears up for future matches, including critical battles against Malta, supporters are optimistic that this time they can break through and bring home glory on the world stage.
Anticipation is high among fans and players alike as Poland continues its campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All eyes will be on the national team as they aim to reclaim their former glory and leave a lasting impression in the annals of World Cup history.
