Poland and Nigeria Clash in Friendly Match

Two countries that just missed out on the 2026 World Cup will face off today as Poland hosts Nigeria in a friendly at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Nigeria could not qualify for the World Cup for the second time in a row. They lost to DR Congo in the African playoffs final last November. Poland also missed out after losing to Sweden in the UEFA qualification play-offs.

Since their World Cup disappointment, the Super Eagles have started rebuilding under coach Eric Chelle. They finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Nigeria has won three of their last four matches, scoring at least two goals in each of those games.

Poland, led by Jan Urban, is also trying to recover from their setback. They come into this match after a 2, 0 loss to Ukraine on Sunday in Wrocław. First-half goals from Roman Yaremchuk and Andriy Yarmolenko sealed the defeat.

Poland has not kept a clean sheet in their last five matches. They conceded at least two goals in three of those games. Coach Urban is likely worried about his team’s defense.

Before facing Nigeria, the White-Reds risk losing three matches in a row for the first time in over three years. They have not had such a winless streak since a five-game drought between September and November 2024.

Still, Poland can find some hope. Sunday’s loss to Ukraine was their first friendly defeat since 2018. Nigeria was one of the teams that beat them in a friendly back then, winning 1, 0 in March 2018.

Currently, Nigeria ranks 26th in the FIFA rankings, nine places higher than Poland at 35th. The Super Eagles are unbeaten in five matches (W4, D1) since their penalty loss to Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals earlier this year. They went on to claim third place after beating Egypt.

The three-time AFCON champions come into today’s game after a 3, 0 victory over Jamaica in the Unity Cup final. Alhassan Yusuf scored two goals, and Terem Moffi added another.

Nigeria also has a psychological advantage from their only previous match against Poland, which they won 1, 0 in 2018. However, they have only managed one win in eight matches (D2, L5) against European teams since that victory.

Poland's veteran striker Robert Lewandowski may lead the attack again as he aims to add to his 89 international goals.

Nigeria will miss key players Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman for this match and the next friendly against Portugal.