A place in the UEFA Path B play-off final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be at stake when Poland and Albania lock horns on Thursday.
This encounter takes place at Warsaw's PGE Narodowy Stadium, and the winner will take on either Ukraine or Sweden in the play-off final.
Interestingly, history is on the hosts’ side, as they have never lost a home game against Albania.
Read our Poland vs Albania prediction, preview and betting tips. You can also check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
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Poland vs Albania key stats
- Poland are currently on a six-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
- Albania have five wins in their last six games.
- Five of Poland's last seven fixtures produced goals at both ends.
Poland vs Albania preview: Can Albania break their 77-year curse?
| Poland | vs | Albania |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (WC Qualification, Group G) | Position | 2nd (WC Qualification, Group K) |
| 17 | Points | 14 |
| 14 | Goals For | 7 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 3 | Clean Sheets | 5 |
| 2nd | Home Rank | 2nd |
| 2nd | Away Rank | 3rd |
Poland secured a place in the play-offs due to their second-placed finish in Group G of UEFA’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Jan Urban’s troops are brimming with confidence ahead of this encounter, having never lost at home against Albania since their inaugural encounter in November 1949.
Albania kept three clean sheets in their last four FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
Forward Adam Buksa and goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski failed to make the hosts' World Cup playoff squad, as both players are sidelined with hamstring injuries.
Robert Lewandowski, who has 11 La Liga goals for Barcelona this season, will definitely lead the line for the Polish side on Thursday night, with the former Bayern Munich talisman looking to earn his 164th international appearance for the Whites and Reds.
Aston Villa defender Matty Cash made the squad after recovering from an injury. He's expected to start alongside Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, who is on a season-long loan at Portuguese side Porto.
Albania, on the other hand, finished second in Group K, a massive 10 points behind leaders England.
Poland have averaged two goals in their last five FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
However, Sylvinho’s side proved they can thrive under pressure, notably securing their play-off berth with a gutsy 1-0 win in Serbia last October, a result that suggests they won't be intimidated by the atmosphere at the Narodowy.
Armando Broja, who has netted just once in his last 10 matches for Burnley, was included in the squad for this game. However, after scoring three times during the qualifiers, Rey Manaj should be preferred to start up front.
Kristjan Asllani will most likely start in the middle of the park, while former Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha should get the nod between the sticks.
Atalanta's Berat Djimsiti and Lazio's Elseid Hysaj should both feature in the backline for Albania on Thursday as they vie for a place in the playoff final.
Poland vs Albania form guide & betting tips
| Poland | vs | Albania |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-D-W | Form | W-W-W-W-L |
| 10 | Goals For | 7 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 4 |
| D-W-W-D-W | World Cup Qualification form | D-W-W-W-L |
Whispers Predicts: Poland 2-1 Albania
At 1.71, Poland are considered favourites by the bookies. Having won the last five meetings between these teams on home soil, we are confident that the Poles will emerge victorious.
We have pointed out that both teams found the net in five of Poland's last seven games. This can be backed at 2.35.
Moreover, Poland won three of their last four 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games, while keeping only one clean sheet in that stretch.
On that note, Poland & BTTS - Yes is priced at 4.60.
> BTTS - Yes at 2.35 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 2.40 | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result - Poland at 1.71 | Likelihood: Probable
> Poland & BTTS - Yes at 4.60 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: 2-1 at 9.10 | Likelihood: Outsider