Jan Urban names Poland squad for Ukraine and Nigeria friendlies: Lewandowski included, five debutants called up

Poland's national team manager Jan Urban unveiled his squad on Tuesday for the two June friendlies, springing several surprises with the inclusion of five debutants and the return of veteran goalkeeper Marcin Bułka. The squad will gather in Wrocław on Thursday, 28 May, to prepare for matches against Ukraine on 31 May at Tarczyński Arena and Nigeria on 3 June at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.

Lewandowski's future still open

Captain Robert Lewandowski, 37, was named in the squad despite not having publicly committed to continuing his international career beyond the failed World Cup play-off campaign in March. The striker, who is leaving FC Barcelona after four seasons, has earned 165 caps and scored 89 goals for Poland. Signals from the coaching staff had suggested he might carry on, and his inclusion keeps the door open for a potential farewell or continued leadership into the autumn Nations League fixtures.

The captain of the White-and-Reds will fulfil the dream of Maja Mecan, a girl battling cancer, by walking out hand-in-hand with her before the Ukraine match.

Five fresh faces in defence and attack

Urban handed maiden call-ups to five players. In defence, 18-year-old Kacper Potulski of FSV Mainz, who made 15 Bundesliga appearances this season, joins Jagiellonia Białystok right-back Norbert Wojtuszek and 22-year-old Cracovia centre-back Oskar Wójcik. Up front, Karol Czubak of Motor Lublin — the Ekstraklasa's second-top scorer with 18 goals — and Mateusz Żukowski of FC Magdeburg, who netted 17 times in the 2. Bundesliga, are the new attacking options.

In defence we lack very valuable players today, and success for the whole team is built from a solid back line.

Searching for Lewandowski's heir

Finding a long-term successor at centre-forward remains Poland's most pressing problem. Czubak, 26, was named the Ekstraklasa's best striker at Monday's league gala, while 24-year-old Żukowski revived his career in Germany after an injury-hit start at Śląsk Wrocław. Both are seen as logical candidates to audition for the role behind Lewandowski, with regular deputies Krzysztof Piątek and Adam Buksa absent from this squad.

If someone was going to be checked as Lewandowski's replacement, it was precisely them.

Returns and notable absentees

Marcin Bułka returns to the national team after missing almost the entire season with an injury at Saudi club Neom SC, while Łukasz Skorupski remains sidelined. Jakub Piotrowski of Udinese also earned a recall in midfield. Among those left out are Aston Villa's Matty Cash, Feyenoord's Jakub Moder, Roma's Jan Ziółkowski, Al-Duhail's Krzysztof Piątek, and Widzew Łódź goalkeeper Bartłomiej Drągowski. Kamil Grosicki has definitively ended his international career.

What lies ahead

Both opponents, like Poland, failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With no competitive stakes, Urban is expected to use the two friendlies to experiment tactically and integrate the newcomers before the Nations League campaign begins in the autumn. The squad will be based at the Monopol hotel in Wrocław and train on the main pitch at Tarczyński Arena.