The draw for the UEFA World Cup qualifiers took place on Friday 13 December from Zurich. The Polish national team will play its matches in Group G, in which it will face the national teams of Spain or the Netherlands (the group will be joined by the team which loses the quarter-final of the League of Nations) and Finland, Lithuania and Malta.
The Maltese national team features Matthew Guillaumier, who is well known to blue and white fans . In his career to date, he has 42 games in the first national team, including eight as team captain.
What was your reaction when you found out that the Maltese national team would play against the Polish national team in the World Cup qualifiers?
Of course I followed how the draw for the qualifiers for the upcoming World Cup in 2026 would go. I was very happy that Poland was in the same group as the Maltese national team, because I will be able to play against the country where I currently live and where I feel very comfortable. I know it won’t be a tough competition against the red and white team, but I’m still happy to be able to play against Poland.
There are many exciting matches ahead for the Maltese national team. How do you assess the level of the group you play in?
I think it’s a good group in which we will definitely fight in every match for a favourable result! On the international stage all the teams are good, some better than others, so these will be challenging matches.
You are the captain of the Malta national team.How does it feel to play in big stadiums like Wembley?
Playing in the FKS Stali Mielec team I have the opportunity to compete in many fantastic stadiums in Poland, including of course our #S1, where we can always count on the cheering of the blue and white fans. Having played for the Maltese national team, it is an honour to play in such famous stadiums as the Wembley you mentioned, for example. I hope to play at the PGE Narodowe in Poland in front of a full house and show my best side together with the team.
You have already played 42 games for your country’s national team. What do you think is the most important asset of the Maltese national team?
I think the unity in the team and the teamwork both during the game and in every training session is our most important asset! In the matches of the national team, each player gives the maximum as it is a great pride to be able to represent your country.
Who from the Polish national team will you have to watch out for the most?
Robert Lewandowski! It would be an honour to play against him because he is a legend of Polish and international football. There are many great players in the Polish national team, but as I said, Robert Lewandowski is the player we will have to pay attention to the most.
Finally, I would still like to ask you which place in the final group table would you be happy with?
We always try to be better than we were in the previous game and we will concentrate match by match to get as many points as possible! I think our goal should be to get as many points as possible without strictly looking at the table. I believe in my team and I know that we will give our best to represent our country in the best possible way.
Interviewed by:
Mateusz Prokopiak
Spokesperson of FKS Stal Mielec S.A.
UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifying groups:
Group A:
Winner of the LN quarter-final Germany – Italy
Slovakia
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg
Group B:
Switzerland
Sweden
Slovenia
Kosovo
Group C:
Loser of the LN quarter-final Portugal – Denmark
Greece
Scotland
Belarus
Group D:
LN quarter-final winner France – Croatia
Ukraine
Iceland
Azerbaijan
Group E:
LN quarter-final winner Spain – Netherlands
Turkey
Georgia
Bulgaria
Group F:
LN quarter-final winner Portugal – Denmark
Hungary
Ireland
Armenia
Group G:
Loser of the LN quarter-final Spain – Netherlands
Poland
Finland
Lithuania
Malta
Group H:
Austria
Romania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cyprus
San Marino
Group I:
Loser of the LN quarter-final Germany – Italy
Norway
Israel
Estonia
Moldova
Group J:
Belgium
Wales
North Macedonia
Kazakhstan
Liechtenstein
Group K:
England
Serbia
Albania
Latvia
Andorra
Group L:
Loser of the LN quarter-final France – Croatia
Czech Republic
Montenegro
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
The final composition of Group G will be known after the Nations League matches in March. Only the winners of the respective groups will advance directly to the upcoming World Cup. The national teams that finish second in their groups will have to compete for promotion to the tournament in the play-offs.
The World Cup will take place in 2026 in North America. The tournament will be hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada. The opening match has been scheduled for 11 June 2026. at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico.
