Preview: Poland vs Albania – prediction, team news, lineups

Poland and Albania battle it out on the Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw for a spot within the playoff last of 2026 World Cup qualifying on Thursday evening.

The victors of this one-off tie will come up towards both Ukraine or Sweden away from dwelling subsequent Tuesday for a spot at this summer time’s match.

Match preview

Poland wish to qualify for the World Cup for the tenth time of their historical past and for the third successive match after competing within the 2018 and 2022 editions in Russia and Qatar respectively, reaching the final 16 within the latter.

The Eagles had been unlucky to not qualify robotically for the 2026 match, after they gained 5 occasions and drew 1-1 each dwelling and away towards the Netherlands, who went on to win Group G by three factors.

Jan Urban is but to lose as Poland head coach since his appointment in July final yr, successful 4 and drawing two of his six video games in cost, together with a 3-2 away victory over European minnows Malta of their last qualifier in mid-November.

Ranked thirty fourth on the earth by FIFA, Poland head into Thursday’s contest having gained 5 advert drawn considered one of their final six dwelling matches in all competitions, maintaining 4 clear sheets within the course of.

The Eagles additionally boast a formidable file towards Albania, as they’ve gained 10, drawn three and misplaced simply two of their earlier 15 conferences, successful every of their final 5 in World Cup qualifying by an combination rating of 9-2.

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Albania have certified for 2 of the final three European Championships, however they’ve by no means competed on the World Cup as an impartial nation, ending no greater than third in UEFA qualifying earlier than securing second spot behind England in Group Ok this time round.

The Red and Blacks suffered a 2-0 home defeat to the Three Lions of their last group fixture in November final yr, however three consecutive 1-0 victories towards Latvia, Serbia and Andorra previous to that consequence finally helped them to seal a playoff place.

Ranked 63rd on the earth by FIFA, Albania have solely suffered defeat in considered one of their final 5 worldwide video games on international soil and can try to win a fourth away recreation in a row with out conceding a aim once they make the journey to Poland on Thursday.

Sylvinho’s males ended an 11-recreation winless run towards Poland (D2 L9) once they claimed a 2-0 victory in Euro 2024 qualifying virtually three years in the past. Albania have by no means gained again-to-again matches towards the Eagles, with their solely different triumph coming in November 1953 (2-0 pleasant dwelling win).

Poland 2026 World Cup Qualifying kind:

Poland kind (all competitions):

Albania 2026 World Cup Qualifying kind:

Albania kind (all competitions):

Team News

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Poland must cope with out Atalanta BC wideman Nicola Zalewski, who’s suspended on account of an accumulation of yellow playing cards.

A shock inclusion in Urban’s squad is 17-yr-previous Porto starlet Oskar Pietushevski, who is out there to earn his first senior cap however just isn’t anticipated to start out on Thursday.

Robert Lewandowski – 20 years older than Pietushevski – is anticipated to start out up entrance. The Barcelona striker has scored a file 88 objectives for his nation and might be supported within the last third by Jakub Kaminski and Sebastian Szymanski.

As for Albania, Myrto Uzuni, Nazmi Gripshi and Ylber Ramadani ought to all be obtainable regardless of becoming a member of up with the senior camp on Monday, the latter of whom not too long ago grew to become a father for the third time.

Injured-plagued Armando Broja has been chosen in Sylvinho’s squad, however the Burnley striker faces competitors for a begin up entrance from Myrto Uzuni, who may additionally function out vast.

Kristjan Asllani and Qazim Laci are each sturdy contenders to start out in midfield, probably alongside Ramadani, whereas 96-cap Elseid Hysaj may play on the appropriate aspect of a again 4 alongside Berat Djimsiti, Ardian Ismajli and Mario Mitaj.

Poland doable beginning lineup:

Grabara; Kedziora, Ziolkowski, Kiwior; Cash, Slisz, Zielinski, Skoras; Szymanski, Kaminski; Lewandowski

Albania doable beginning lineup:

Strakosha; Hysaj, Ismajli, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Laci, Ramadani; Asani, Broja, Uzuni

We say: Poland 2-1 Albania (A.E.T)

No greater than two objectives have been scored in 12 of Albania’s final 15 aggressive worldwide video games and Sylvinho’s aspect might be concerned in one other intently-contested battle with Poland on Thursday.

This is a match that will require further time, however we’re backing the Lewandowski-inspired hosts to discover a technique to safe their place within the playoff last.

For information evaluation of the most probably outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.