This wasn’t how Poland expected things to end. Following their loss in Stockholm against Sweden in Path B’s final of the UEFA playoffs, the Eagles have been officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. It ultimately wasn’t enough, and their international dream has come to a disheartening close in the Venice of the North.
As for Sweden, joy and jubilation are the name of the game in the “Elongated Country.” After a nail-biting showdown in Solna, the Blue and Yellows are through to the World Cup. Fans already know which group Sweden will be joining at the 2026 World Cup, and the national team can go ahead and book its flight to Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
For Poland, words can’t even begin to describe the utter heartbreak in the “Land of Fields.” The Eagles were oh so close, yet so far from making it to another World Cup. Despite a grueling journey through UEFA’s World Cup Qualifiers, Poland have come away empty-handed.
Poland miss World Cup for first time in over a decade
The Eagles had appeared in the last two World Cups (2018 and 2022), but failed to make it three in a row after Viktor Gyokeres’ late goal proved the difference in Path B’s final of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers playoffs. As a result, Poland are out of the World Cup for the first time since the 2014 tournament, held in Brazil.
Robert Lewandowski of Poland
Poland’s curse in the Americas continues
As the World Cup returns to the Americas, the Poles will be absent again. World Cups held in the “New World” have been elusive for the Polish national team. Poland have only participated in two of the nine tournaments held on the American continent.
The Poles qualified for Argentina 1978 and Mexico 1986 but missed Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, Chile 1962, Mexico 1970, USA 1994, Brazil 2014, and the 2026 tournament in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
