Route to Russia:
Poland secured qualification by topping their group which consisted of Denmark, Montenegro, Romania, Armenia and Kazakhstan. They won eight of their ten fixtures, drawing once and losing once as they finished five points clear of second place Denmark.
How far can they get:
Poland have been drawn alongside Senegal, Columbia and Japan. Surprisingly, Poland’s last World Cup appearance came in 2006, a tournament in which they were knocked out in the group stages. This time around they will be aiming to reach the round of 16, optimistic in their chances of seeing off Senegal and Japan in the group stage.
Manager:
Adam Nawalka. The Krakow born head coach is well known across Poland having spent much of his playing career and the entirety of his managerial career in his native homeland. The Pole joined Wisla Krakow as a 13-year-old in 1970 and spent 15 years at the club prior to spending three years overseas in the US. His managerial career spans 17 years, which includes a brief spell as Poland’s assistant manager in 2007/08. He took the reigns as head coach in 2013.
One to Watch:
Robert Lewandowski. Poland’s all-time leading goal scorer had yet another sensational season for Bayern Munich. The clinical striker scored 30 Bundesliga goals as well as notching up five in the Champions League.
