Albania’s national team will face Poland national football team in Warsaw on Thursday evening in the first 2026 World Cup playoff match.

Overall, the two sides have met 15 times. Albania has recorded two wins, three draws, and ten losses. Clearly, this record shows a tough history. However, it also leaves room for a turnaround.

Their first match dates back to 1949, when Poland won 2–1. Albania secured its first victory in 1953, with a 2–0 win at home.

In the following decades, Poland largely dominated, especially in qualifiers. Nevertheless, the most recent result favors Albania.

In September 2023, Albania defeated Poland 2–0 in Tirana, boosting confidence and proving the team can compete with strong opponents.

Now, Poland holds a slight advantage at home. Even so, Albania enters the match with renewed optimism.

This playoff is a key test for Albania’s World Cup ambitions, as the team looks to rewrite history with another strong performance.