New Zealand’s opponents Poland: 10 things you might want to know

By Chris Hood

The All Whites’ next opponents, Poland, have traditionally been strong at international level, winning Olympic gold, making nine appearances at FIFA Men’s World Cup tournaments and producing some legendary players.

The sides are set to meet on Friday October 10, 2025, at the iconic Silesian Stadium in Chorzów, about 270 km west of Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, the city where the teams last met 23 years ago.

Here are 10 things you might want to know about Poland ahead of Friday’s match …

1. Historical head-to-head

This will be the third meeting between New Zealand and Poland, who first met on June 19, 1999, in a tournament in Thailand, drawing 0-0 before Poland won 5-4 on penalties to claim third place.

Legendary All Whites defender Ryan Nelsen made his international debut in that match, replacing captain Chris Zoricich in the 61st minute.

The teams met again in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski in October 2002, where New Zealand suffered a 2-0 defeat in a friendly fixture.

2. Current FIFA rankings

Heading into this fixture, Poland are ranked #36 in the FIFA men’s world rankings while New Zealand are #83.

The highest Poland have ever been ranked was #5 in August 2017, while the All Whites’ all-time peak was #47, achieved in August 2002.

READ MORE: All Whites drop one place in FIFA world rankings after losses to Australia >>>>

3. Facing a world-class striker

Legendary striker Robert Lewandowski (37) has been included in Poland’s squad to face New Zealand and Lithuania in October.

Lewandowski, Poland’s all-time top scorer with 86 goals from 160 caps, made his debut in 2008 but made himself unavailable for the national team after a fall-out with then-manager Michal Probierz earlier this year.

The FC Barcelona star has reportedly patched things up with new head coach Jan Urban.

READ MORE: Big names included in Polish squad to play All Whites in friendly international >>>>

Robert Lewandowski … one of the world’s best strikers.
4. Poland’s FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign

Poland compete in Group 6 of European qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and sit second behind the Netherlands on goal difference, though the Dutch side has a game in hand.

A pivotal clash looms on November 14 when Poland host the group leaders, potentially deciding the group’s top position ahead of the finals.

5. Recent form and key players

Poland’s last qualifier was a 3-1 victory against Finland on September 7, 2025. The side lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Łukasz Skorupski (Bologna) in goal and Lewandowski leading the attack beside Jakub Kamiński (FC Köln).

Matty Cash (Aston Villa) has scored in the last two qualifiers, while Piotr Zieliński (Inter Milan) and Jan Bednarek (Porto) provide experience and stability in midfield and defence.

6. Poland’s World Cup legacy

Poland have made nine previous World Cup appearances, debuting in 1938 with a 6-5 extra-time loss to Brazil.

The team claimed third place in 1974 and 1982, defeating Brazil and France, respectively, with Grzegorz Lato and Zbigniew Boniek cementing their international reputations.

7. Legendary Polish players

Kazimierz Deyna, Olympic Gold medalist in 1972, scored both goals in Poland’s 2-1 final win against Hungary. He later joined England’s Manchester City and then MLS side San Diego Sockers. He died in a car accident in 1989 and in 1994 he was named by the Polish Football Association as their country’s Greatest Player of All Time.

Other stars include Włodzimierz Lubański, the youngest Polish international at 16, and Zbigniew Boniek, Eastern Europe’s most expensive player at the time of his 1982 transfer to Juventus.

Poland have produced world-class goalkeepers, including European Cup winner Józef Młynarczyk, UEFA Champions League winner Jerzy Dudek, and Wojciech Szczęsny, a Serie A and FA Cup champion.

8. The ones that got away

Polish-born Miroslav Klose holds the record for the most goals in FIFA World Cup finals tournaments. He scored 16 goals in 24 matches for Germany in the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 tournaments.

Striker Lukas Podolski, born in southern Poland, won 130 caps for Germany and is now back in his native Poland, playing for Górnik Zabrze, for whom he’s made more than 100 first-team appearances.

9. Polish connections with New Zealand

A-League club Wellington Phoenix have make good use of Polish talent, with goalkeeper Filip Kurto and striker Oskar Zawada playing for the club. Both were Polish age-group internationals. Kurto is now with Macarthur FC, while Zawada plays for Dutch club Groningen.

Former Phoenix ‘keeper Alex Paulsen is on loan at Poland’s Lechia Gdańsk.

READ MORE: Polish club confirm one-year loan deal for All White Alex Paulsen >>>>

10. Famous moments in history

Poland have had many memorable moments in their footballing history but few have generated as much interest as their 1-1 draw with England in 1973, a result that eliminated the 1966 world champions from the qualifiers for the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

The Polish side comprised a starting line-up of amateur players and the game made legends of goalscorer Jan Domarski and goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewsk whose heroics denied England a winner.

Squads

Fixtures

Game to be played on Friday October 10, 2025 (NZT)

Poland v New Zealand
Stadion Śląski, Chorzów, Poland, 7.45am (NZT)

Game to be played on Wednesday October 15, 2025 (NZT)

Norway v New Zealand
Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway, 5am (NZT)

Chris Hood

Writer Chris Hood is a Blenheim-based long-time follower of football.

This story was first published on October 9, 2025.

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