Poland is set to face Moldova in a crucial match at the Silesian Stadium as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, although they will be without their star striker and captain Robert Lewandowski, who is resting due to fatigue. Under the leadership of head coach Michal Probierz, Poland aims to build on their successful start to the qualifiers, having achieved two victories in March. They narrowly defeated Lithuania 1-0, courtesy of a Lewandowski goal, and followed that with a 2-0 win against Malta, highlighted by two goals from Karol Swiderski.
In stark contrast, Moldova has struggled at the onset of the campaign, suffering consecutive defeats—first a heavy 5-0 loss to Norway and more recently a 3-2 defeat against Estonia. Their current form shows three straight losses, leaving them at the bottom of Group G with zero points and a concerning goal difference of -6.
Despite the absence of Lewandowski, Poland is equipped with other key players, such as Jan Bednarek and Piotr Zielinski, who will be essential for maintaining their competitive edge. Marcin Bulka is expected to take the goalkeeper position, and Poland could employ a three-man defense featuring Mateusz Wieteska, Jan Bednarek, and Jakub Kiwior.
The match will also serve as a special farewell for veteran winger Kamil Grosicki, who will be honored for his contributions to the national team. Reports suggest he will start the match and wear the captain’s armband for a portion before handing it over to Zielinski.
Moldova, on the other hand, comes into the match with a full squad, looking to turn their campaign around with Ion Nicolaescu expected to lead the attack.
Both teams have a lot to play for as Poland looks to secure their qualification path while Moldova seeks redemption after a rocky start. This match could be pivotal in setting the tone for the rest of the qualifiers.