English Section

Football: Poland goalkeeper Skorupski out of World Cup playoffs with injury

17.03.2026 16:15
Poland goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski will miss this month’s World Cup qualifying playoffs after sustaining a thigh injury, football officials said on Tuesday.
Łukasz Skorupski (pictured) suffered an injury in Bolognas 1-0 Serie A win over Sassuolo on Sunday.
Łukasz Skorupski (pictured) suffered an injury in Bologna's 1-0 Serie A win over Sassuolo on Sunday.Photo: EPA/ELISABETTA BARACCHI

Skorupski's Italian club Bologna said medical tests revealed a moderate tear of the biceps femoris muscle in his left leg.

He has begun treatment and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks.

The injury rules the 34-year-old out of Poland’s playoff matches later this month.

Skorupski, who became Poland’s first-choice goalkeeper after the 2024 European championships, was injured during Bologna’s Serie A match against Sassuolo on Sunday.

He was hurt late in the game after running out of his penalty area to clear the ball with his head, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Despite the injury, Skorupski remained on the field until the final whistle as Bologna had already used all its substitutions. His team went on to win 1-0.

Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport described the injury as serious, saying the Pole could be sidelined for at least six weeks or longer.

Skorupski has already missed two months earlier this season, from November to January, also due to a muscle injury.

Poland is set to face Albania in a World Cup playoff semifinal in Warsaw on March 26. If it advances, the team will play away five days later against either Ukraine or Sweden for a place at the 2026 tournament in North America.

The World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19.

Skorupski was part of Poland’s squad at the 2022 World Cup but did not feature in a match.

He made his major tournament appearance at Euro 2024, playing in Poland's final group game against France, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP