Why Robert Lewandowski has refused to play for Poland in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers?

The striker was stripped of the captaincy recently

After being ousted as captain, Robert Lewandowski, the all-time leading scorer for Poland, has announced that he will not play for his nation while Michal Probierz is manager.

The 36-year-old attacker is not included in his country’s roster for the current international window, despite having 85 goals in 158 appearances.

Probierz “personally informed Robert Lewandowski, the entire team, and the training staff of his decision” to name Piotr Zielinski, midfielder for Inter Milan, as the new captain, according to a statement released by the Polish FA on Sunday.

Robert Lewandowski posted on social media after this ruling:

“Taking into account the circumstances and a loss of trust in the coach, I have decided to resign from playing for the Poland national team for as long as he remains in charge. I hope I will still have another chance to play again for the best fans in the world.”

In addition, the Polish FA announced that 31-year-old Zielinski will join Probierz at a press conference on Monday before Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying match against Finland.

The 52-year-old Probierz took over as coach in September 2023, but his team were the first to be eliminated from the competition at Euro 2024 after finishing last in their group.

But after two straight victories, Poland lead their World Cup 2026 qualifying group, while the Netherlands are in third place with three points after one game.

Already, there were questions over Lewandowski’s exclusion from the current international window. He was left out of Poland’s team for their June 6 friendly against Moldova, which they won 2-0, and their June 11 World Cup qualifying match against Finland. According to the Polish news agency PAP, the striker asked to be released from duty so that he could relax.

However, unless the Polish FA or the manager persuades the Barcelona star to rejoin the team, the national side would suffer a serious setback as their most seasoned and dangerous striker will no longer be playing.

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