Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Poland play host to Albania at PGE Narodowy stadium in the Group I round 4. The Poles have been having their ups and downs in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with the team sharing the spoils with Hungary (3-3), beating Andorra (3-0), while losing to England (1-2). Robert Lewandowski and Co. aim to return to winning ways as soon as possible, but keep in mind that Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski suffered an injury in a 2-0 win over Venezia.
The 27-year-old is rated doubtful for Thursday’s qualifier. The Albanians, on the other hand, are eyeing their third win of the process, but keep in mind that they defeated minors Andorra and San Marino. Poland are a real force to be reckoned with at home, and we predict that they will pick up all three points from the match. Experienced attacker Sokol Cikalleshi, who has netted two goals for Konyaspor in the Super Lig so far this season, is likely to lead the line for the visitors.
Highlighted Player (Robert Lewandowski):
After scoring 36 goals in 59 league games for Znicz Pruskow, Robert Lewandowski joined Lech Poznan in June, 2008. The 184-cm-tall attacker scored 18 goals in 28 appearances for the club in the 2009/2010 Ekstraklasa campaign and during the season he was on Borussia Dortmund’s radar.
The Polish forward signed a four-year deal with the Bundesliga side in June, 2010 and he quickly established himself as the team’s key attacker. Lewandowski was producing excellent performances with the Millionaires between 2010 and 2014 and it has to be noted that he won two Bundesliga trophies with the club (2010/2011, 2011/2012). He participated in the 2012/2013 Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund, but the Millionaires were beaten by fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Munich in the title game.
However, he betrayed Borussia Dortmund fans in 2014 as he signed a four-year deal with the Bundesliga giants. Lewandowski impressed in the 2016/2017 Bundesliga campaign as he scored 30 goals in 32 league games for Pep Guardiola’s troops. The Polish footballer represented his homeland at Euro 2016 in France and he scored one goal at the showpiece tournament in France.
Highlighted Team (Albania):
The Albanian national football team has represented the country on international stage since 1946, and it is interesting to note that Albania was one of the founding members of UEFA back in 1954. The Eagles have enjoyed very little success in the 20th century, but they managed to show some improvement at the turn of the century and eventually secured their first ever appearance at a major tournament.
Albania qualified for the Euro 2016 finals as they came second in their qualifying group behind Portugal, taking 14 points from 8 matches, with Italian coach Gianni De Biasi at the helm. The Eagles have never qualified for the World Cup finals in 11 attempts, winning mere 14 of 94 World Cup qualifiers.
Former Lazio defender Lorik Cana has worn the captain’s armband over the last few years and he is Albania’s most capped player, while former Chievo forward Erjon Bogdani still holds the record for most goals for the national team, with 18 strikes in 74 appearances.