Poland finished second in its qualifying group behind the Netherlands, missing out on automatic qualification for the World Cup in North America and now needing to advance through two-stage playoffs.
The Polish team will host Albania in a playoff semifinal at the National Stadium in Warsaw on Thursday in the first step toward reaching the tournament.
If they win, they will face Ukraine or Sweden in the playoff final next Tuesday for a place at the World Cup.
If they lose, they will play a friendly against the loser between Ukraine and Sweden on March 31.
Coach Jan Urban last week named a 25-man squad for the two matches.
The squad includes Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, the national team captain and Poland's all-time caps leader.
"I strongly believe that we’ll manage to advance," Lewandowski told a news conference in Warsaw on Monday.
“What do we have to do to beat Albania? Definitely score one more goal. Albania are always a difficult opponent, but we’re playing at home. I hope we can control the game, set our own pace, keep our opponents from getting ahead—and win,” he added.
Inter Milan midfielder Piotr Zieliński and Aston Villa right-back Matty Cash are also in the squad.
New call-ups include 17-year-old Oskar Pietuszewski of FC Porto, seen as a promising prospect in Polish football.
Feyenoord midfielder Jakub Moder returns to the national side after a prolonged absence due to a back injury.
Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski will miss the playoffs with a thigh injury.
Atalanta midfielder Nicola Zalewski is suspended for the Albania match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Poland are ranked 34th in the world by football's governing body FIFA, while Albania are No. 63. Ukraine are ranked 30th and Sweden 42nd.
In early December, Poland learned their potential group-stage opponents for the World Cup should they advance from the playoffs.
If Poland secure a berth, they will face Tunisia, the Netherlands and Japan in the group stage, following a draw in Washington on December 5.
The World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, featuring 48 teams—16 more than in Qatar in 2022.
Poland reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup before being eliminated by eventual runners-up France.
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Source: IAR, PAP, laczynaspilka.pl