Sabasports Match Preview
FIFA World Cup Qualifying – UEFA: Poland vs Albania
Kickoff Time: 2026-03-27 03:45 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Nacho Doce
Poland’s coach has announced a 25-man squad for the March World Cup play-off. The focal figure, Robert Lewandowski, remains the team’s core; the FC Barcelona striker’s inclusion underlines Poland’s attacking strength. F.C. Internazionale Milano Piotr Zieliński, Aston Villa F.C. full-back Matty Cash and FC Porto defender Jakub Kiwior also made the cut, while Porto’s 17-year-old forward Oskar Pietuszewski is included for the first time. Based on this season’s form, 37-year-old Lewandowski is still sharp, contributing 11 goals and 1 assist in La Liga and 4 goals in the Champions League. Zieliński continues to act as the midfield commander, registering 5 goals and 1 assist in Serie A with a passing accuracy of 92.3%, the second-highest among players in his position in the league. Cash’s flank play is also a major threat—he not only gets forward to score and assist but can shut down opposing attackers defensively. Overall, Poland’s tactics reflect a typical pragmatic Eastern European style, combining tough defense, a clinical forward line and aerial counterattacks.
Albania are still pushing for a first-ever World Cup finals appearance. From their announced squad, the attack looks rather ordinary; the best-known name is Armando Broja, who plays for Premier League relegation battlers Burnley FC, but he is not in top form this season, contributing only 1 goal and 1 assist in the league. In midfield, Ipswich Town F.C.’s Anis Mehmeti and U.S. Lecce’s Ylber Ramadani lead the group. Mehmeti scored 10 goals and provided 7 assists in his league, but performances in a lower division aren’t directly comparable to top-tier football, so his numbers are less convincing. Ramadani plays a strong defensive midfield role, often pressuring opponents with fierce challenges—he averages 2.4 tackles, 1.6 clearances and 1.2 interceptions per Serie A match. Overall, Albania are defensively solid but weak in attack. In eight group-stage matches they managed only seven goals; even away to a weaker side like Andorra they eked out just a 1–0 win.
There is a clear gap between the two teams, and the match is expected to see Poland on the front foot and Albania defending deep. With Lewandowski leading the line, Poland’s attack is assured, and they also have a surprise option in Pietuszewski. With home fans behind them, Poland should be able to win comfortably.
Poland’s Last 5 Games: WDWWW
25-11-18 Malta 2-3 Poland
25-11-15 Poland 1-1 Netherlands
25-10-13 Lithuania 0-2 Poland
25-10-10 Poland 1-0 New Zealand
25-09-08 Poland 3-1 Finland
Albania’s Last 5 Games: LWWWW
25-11-17 Albania 0-2 England
25-11-14 Andorra 0-1 Albania
25-10-15 Albania 4-2 Jordan
25-10-12 Serbia 0-1 Albania
25-09-10 Albania 1-0 Latvia
Head-to-head
23-09-11 Albania 2-0 Poland
23-02-28 Poland 1-0 Albania
21-10-13 Albania 0-1 Poland
21-09-03 Poland 4-1 Albania
08-05-29 Albania 0-1 Poland
Prediction: Poland to win at home