x

Bialkowski Set to Be Named in Poland World Cup Squad - Ipswich Town News

Town keeper Bartosz Bialkowski is expected to be confirmed as the second Blues player to be travelling to this summer’s World Cup in Russia when the Poland squad is announced at lunchtime, Lukasz Skorupski, his rival for a place in the 23, having suffered a hip injury in training. Yesterday, Jonas Knudsen was named in the Danish World Cup squad.

According to reports in Poland, Roma keeper Skorupski, 27, picked up the injury at last week’s training camp in Arlamowa and although not a serious problem it has been adjudged enough to rule him out of the finals.

If his selection is confirmed, Bialkowski will be the third-choice keeper in the squad behind Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea) and Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus).

The 30-year-old, whose last words to his father were a promise to get a Poland call-up, became Town's first-ever Polish international when he made his debut and currently only international appearance in the 1-0 friendly defeat to Nigeria in March.

"It was my biggest dream come true,” he said after that match. "Now, I need to do everything to stay in the team as long as possible.”

The Poles have been drawn in World Cup Group H along with Senegal, Colombia and Japan.

Prior to travelling to the finals they play Chile in a friendly in Poznań on June 8th and Lithuania in Warsaw on June 12th.

Bialkowski is still to sign the new contract which former manager Mick McCarthy said had been agreed in January but a one-year extension to his current deal, which was up this summer, has been triggered.

Nine Blues players have previously won caps at a World Cup finals. John Wark and Alan Brazil represented Scotland in 1982 when Mick Mills was England’s captain with Paul Mariner and Terry Butcher also in Ron Greenwood’s side.

Bontcho Guentchev featured for Bulgaria in 1994, Matt Holland was in Mick McCarthy’s Republic of Ireland team in 2002, Slovenian defender Amir Karic was still a Town player at the same tournament and most recently Tommy Smith played for New Zealand in 2010.

George Burley was in the Scotland squad in 1982 but didn't play, while John Elsworthy was named in the Wales 22 for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden but the FAW couldn't afford to send a full squad and the left-half remained at home.

What to read next:

Blues Duo Win Caps as Ireland Draw
Dara O’Shea started and Jack Taylor came on as a sub as the Republic of Ireland were held to a disappointing 0-0 friendly draw away against Luxembourg.
Burgess's Australia Confirm World Cup Qualification
Cameron Burgess’s Australia confirmed qualification for the 2026 World Cup by beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 in their final qualifier in Jeddah this evening.
Mauge Signs Pro Deal
Blues youngster Jamie Mauge has signed the professional deal offered to him at the end of the season.
Ex-Blue Kennedy Rejoins Birmingham Staff
Former Town full-back and academy coach Mark Kennedy has returned to Championship new boys Birmingham City as U21s professional phase coach.
Former Blues Striker Knights Named Stourbridge Boss
Former Blues striker Darryl Knights has been named the manager of Southern League Premier Division Central Stourbridge.
Burgess's Australia Set to Confirm World Cup Qualification
Cameron Burgess’s Australia should formally confirm their qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals when they take on Saudi Arabia in their final qualification group game in Jeddah this evening, while Dara O’Shea and Jack Taylor will be in friendly action with the Republic of Ireland.
TWTD Questionnaire 2024/25
Welcome to the annual TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on Town's 2024/25 season
Hirst Nets First International Goal in Scotland Victory
Town striker George Hirst bagged his first international goal as Scotland beat Liechtenstein 4-0 in a friendly in Vaduz this evening.
Keeper Gray Adds to New Zealand U20s Caps
Young Blues keeper Henry Gray added to his New Zealand U20 caps in a 2-1 friendly defeat in Chile on Saturday.
Eight Youngsters Offered Terms
Town have offered professional terms to eight youngsters including Rio Morgan (pictured), Nico Valentine, Gerrard Buabo and Leon Ayinde, while 18 of their U21s and U18s teammates have been released.