Albania Senses Historic Opportunity: Best Time to Face Poland

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 26, 2026 10:06 AM ET

Poland will host Albania on Thursday, 26 March at 20:45. The match takes place at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.

This fixture is a semi-final in the playoffs for the 2026 World Cup. The winner meets Ukraine or Sweden for a European qualifying spot.

How Albania reached the playoffs

Albania finished second in Group J, behind England. That placing earned them a playoff berth.

They were the only team in the group to beat England. A draw at home with Serbia left questions.

Beating Serbia away proved decisive. Albania also dominated Serbia in Tirana earlier in qualifying.

Several players are unavailable due to injury. Missing names include Etrit Berisha, Rey Manaj, Mirlind Daku and Marash Kumbulla.

Kristjan Asllani remains the squad’s most recognisable name. He played alongside Piotr Zieliński at Inter Milan.

Albania has many professionals playing across Europe. That gives coach Sylvinho options despite absences.

Rey Manaj was the team’s top scorer in qualifying but will not play. Anis Mehmeti and Ernest Muci are in strong form this season.

Sylvinho is expected to set the team up cautiously. Albania will avoid unnecessary risks and favour counters.

The side excels at quick transitions toward goal. That style produced key results during qualifying.

At a recent press conference, Oazim Laci and Elseid Hysaj sounded confident. Journalists note the squad feels no heavy pressure.

Ermal Kuka of Panorama Sport described the mood as optimistic. He said the team exceeded initial expectations.

Kuka also warned that the playoff draw could have been kinder. Albania has no home leg in this mini-tournament.

Still, he argued that in a short group stage anyone can win. Many in Tirana say Albania senses a historic opportunity.

Kuka added that Poland appears to be in transition. For that reason some view this as the best time to face Poland.

Albania beat Poland at home in 2023. Previous meetings included wins for Poland in 2021 qualifying.

The tie in Warsaw is high stakes. The winner advances to a final for one of Europe’s remaining World Cup spots.

Reporting by Kuba Cimoszko, Filmogaz.com.