Poland Aims to Edge Past Finland in WC Qualification

Finland seeks to continue winning streak against Poland

Poland and Finland face off in a high-stakes match with implications for their World Cup qualification hopes. Find out where to watch and get match details.

“Our focus is 80 percent on our own game and how we execute things. Of course, we take into account the opponents' individuals and strengths...”

Finland is set to face Poland in an upcoming match, and a previous win over Poland in June has given them a strong position in Group G. With seven points from four matches, Finland currently tops the group. However, the chasing pack has games in hand, making a good result in Chorzow crucial for Finland's standings.

Previous Match Result:

In their last encounter on June 10, 2025, Finland secured a 2-1 win over Poland, with Joel Pohjanpalo scoring a penalty in the 31st minute and Benjamin Källman netting in the 64th minute. Poland's Jakub Kiwior scored a consolation goal in the 69th minute.

A good result in this match could be vital for Finland, considering the competitive nature of the group.

Finland's head coach, Jacob Friis, is gearing up for a challenging friendly match against Norway, despite it being a non-competitive fixture. Norway boasts some of the world's most recognizable players, including Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, making them a formidable opponent. Friis emphasizes the importance of Finland succeeding as a team to counter Norway's individual brilliance.

Team Analysis

Finland's recent performance shows promise, with two wins in their last five matches, while Norway is on a five-match winning streak. Norway's strong attack, led by Erling Haaland, who has scored in his last two games for the national team, will be a key threat for Finland. Finland, however, will rely on players like Joel Pohjanpalo, who scored in their 2-1 win against Poland.

Possible Lineups

Norway: Ørjan Nyland (GK), Marcus Pedersen, Kristoffer Ajer, Leo Østigård, Birger Meling (DF), Martin Ødegaard, Patrick Berg, Fredrik Aursnes (MF), Erling Haaland, Alexander Sørloth, Jørgen Strand Larsen (FW)

Finland: Lukas Hradecky (GK), Jere Uronen, Robert Ivanov, Leo Väisänen, Sauli Väisänen (DF), Glen Kamara, Rasmus Schüller, Robin Lod (MF), Teemu Pukki, Joel Pohjanpalo, Benjamin Källman (FW).

Finland's head coach, Jacob Friis, emphasized the importance of teamwork in their upcoming match against Norway. “Norway are the favourites, they have players who play in big roles at big clubs. However, this is football, which is a team game. We have to succeed as a team to control their individuals.” Friis acknowledged Norway's talented players, such as Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, who play crucial roles in top clubs. Haaland, known for his exceptional goal-scoring ability, has become a key player for both Manchester City and the Norway national team.

Friis highlighted that his team's focus should be on their own performance and strategy to effectively counter Norway's star players. “Our focus is 80 percent on our own game and how we execute things. Of course, we take into account the opponents' individuals and strengths. With Haaland, we need to prepare for the things that he and Norway are good at.” By emphasizing teamwork and strategic planning, Friis aims to neutralize Norway's individual brilliance and secure a positive outcome for Finland.

Norway's head coach, Stale Solbakken, has been impressively fine-tuning his team's performance, particularly with talented players like Erling Haaland, who plays a crucial role in their success. Under Solbakken's guidance, Norway sits atop Group I in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage, boasting a flawless record of four wins out of four matches. One of their most notable victories was a 3-0 triumph over Italy in June, showcasing the team's potential to end a 26-year drought without a major tournament appearance.

Finland's coach, Jacob Friis, acknowledges the challenge posed by Norway's star-studded lineup, especially the prolific Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland. Friis emphasizes the need for his team to adapt and devise strategies to counter the individual brilliance of Norway's players. “Norway are the favourites, they have players who play in big roles at big clubs. However, this is football, which is a team game. We have to succeed as a team to control their individuals,” Friis noted, highlighting the importance of teamwork in overcoming Norway's formidable opponents.

“Our focus is 80 percent on our own game and how we execute things. Of course, we take into account the opponents' individuals and strengths. With Haaland, we need to prepare for the things that he and Norway are good at. We still focus on our own performance and how we can improve every time we play.

“Norway come into the game in a good position, they have victories behind them and they are close to the World Cup. This is a great opportunity for us to face a team full of good individuals. We are looking forward to this test before the Poland match,” added Friis.