Poland vs Sweden: World Cup play-off final preview, kick-off time, predicted line-ups
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Article summary
When is it? How can you watch it? What are the possible line-ups? Will Zlatan Ibrahimović return? All you need to know about the FIFA World Cup Path B play-off final between Poland and Sweden.
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Poland and Sweden meet in the FIFA World Cup Path B play-off final on Tuesday 29 March.
The winner will book one of three remaining places at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, with the World Cup draw due to take place on Friday 1 April.
Poland vs Sweden at a glance
When: Tuesday 29 March (20:45 CET)
Where: Silesian Stadium, Chorzow
What: Path B play-off final
How to follow: Build-up and live coverage will appear here
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Where to watch Poland vs Sweden on TV
Fans can find their local broadcast partner(s) here.
How did the teams get here?
Runners-up to England in Group I, Poland were given a bye to the play-off final when their opponents, Russia, were suspended from international competition. Sweden finished behind Spain in Group B and survived an endurance test in the semi-finals, substitute Robin Quaison scoring the only goal in extra-time as they eliminated the Czech Republic, with the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimović watching on.
Possible line-ups
Poland: Szczęsny; Bielik, Glik, Bednarek; Cash, Krychowiak, Moder, Zieliński, Puchacz; Buksa, Lewandowski
Sweden: Olsen; Krafth, Lindelöf, Danielson, Augustinsson; Claesson, K. Olsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Kulusevski, Isak
Expert predictions
Piotr Kozmiński, Poland reporter
Poland are at home and playing in front of a 54,000, sell-out crowd, but many of their countrymen don't consider the White and Reds to be favourites. Poland have rarely enjoyed playing Sweden and have lost the sides' last six encounters, including a 3-2 defeat at UEFA EURO 2020. Robert Lewandowski scored twice in that game and is in great shape. Rested for the friendly against Scotland, he could help break the spell.
Sujay Dutt, Sweden reporter
Poland have home advantage, but Sweden come into the game in buoyant mood after overcoming a tough Czech side in the semi-final. Extra time was perhaps just what several Sweden players needed, since they were lacking match fitness. Sweden got the better of Poland at UEFA EURO 2020 last summer, and should goals prove hard to come by, they have a not-so-secret weapon in Zlatan Ibrahimović.
World Cup pedigree
Poland
Final tournaments: 8 (1938, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2018)
Best: third place (1974, 1982)
Sweden
Final tournaments: 12 (1934, 1938, 1950, 1958, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1990, 1994, 2002, 2006, 2018)
Best: runners-up (1958)
What the coaches say
Czesław Michniewicz, Poland coach: "We have studied Sweden in depth. We also had our people at their game against Czech Republic. We know what to expect from them. They are a very good, very well organised team, no doubt about it. But we will have our plan for this match. Provided he is fit, Wojciech Szczęsny will be in goal for us."
Janne Andersson, Sweden coach: "[Poland] are tactically similar to Czech Republic, and that's beneficial for us, having played a similar side on Thursday. Robert Lewandowski is world-class and that gives them an edge. We played them last summer and that was a battle. I expect the same tomorrow."
