Mexico vs Poland – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Odds, Prediction, Live Stream | 2022 FIFA World Cup 

Robert Lewandowski of Poland against Sweden
Robert Lewandowski of Poland against Sweden

Mexico and Poland will begin their 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign this Tuesday when they square up at the 40,000-capacity recyclable Stadium 974.

Venue: Stadium 974 (Doha) 

Key Statistics

Mexico are playing in their eighth World Cup finals in a row.

They are unbeaten in their last six World Cup group stage openers (W5, D1).

No side has played more World Cup games (57) without reaching a final.

No other country has lost more fixtures at the tournament than The Tricolor (27).

Poland has failed to score during the first half in nine of their last 12 matches.

They have failed to win any of their last six World Cup openers (D3, L3).

Poland has failed to make it past the group stages in their last three attempts, losing six of those nine games (W3).

Head to head

Poland boasts a 3-1 win over Mexico in the side’s only prior World Cup H2H back in 1978.

Latest performances in all competitions

Mexico: L-W-L-W-L

Poland: W-W-L-L-D

Mexico 

Mexico will look to begin their seventh consecutive World Cup final and 17th appearance overall with a win when they play Poland at the historic Stadium 974.

This game is historic as it will be played at Stadium 974, which is set to be the first-ever temporary venue to host a World Cup contest. The venue is made from 974 recycled shipping containers. It will be used to host matches throughout the tournament before being dismantled and ferried to be reconstructed in Maldonado, Uruguay, to host games for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, providing the country’s joint bid proves successful.

But away from the stadium design, Mexico are looking to continue their impressive start to World Cup campaigns in this game. The Tricolour are unbeaten in their last six World Cup group stage openers (W5, D1), so confidence in the camp should be high of progression from Group C. 

Having lost only two of their 14 matches (W8, D4) while keeping the most clean sheets (eight) of all CONCACAF teams, they will fancy their chances of winning this game against a Poland side that has enjoyed little success at this stage of the tournament.

Possible Mexico starting line-up

Guillermo Ochoa; Kevin Alvarez, Hector Moreno, Nestor Araujo, Jorge Sanchez; Hector Herrera, Edson Alvarez; Hirving Lozano, Carlos Rodriguez, Ernesto Alexis Vega; Henry Martin.

Injured: None 

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Poland 

Although they clearly lack the World Cup credentials of their opposition, an ever-improving Poland will be looking to make the most of their ninth appearance at the World Cup. 

The European side have failed to make it past the group stages in their last three attempts, losing six of those nine games (W3).

Czesław Michniewicz’s men don’t have a great track record of getting off to a strong start in the World Cup group stage either, having failed to win any of their last six openers (D3, L3). 

But having gained confidence by qualifying via a 2-0 win over Sweden in the playoff final, they may be quietly confident of going far in this tournament. For goals, they will depend on Barcelona striker and talisman Robert Lewandowski who finished as his country’s top-scorer during World Cup Qualification (G9). However, the former Bayern man and European Golden Boot winner can’t do it alone as he is still waiting for his first goal at the tournament finals. So Michniewicz will have to identify a system that will allow his side to thrive and get enough points to qualify from this group.

Possible Poland starting line-up

Wojciech Szczesny; Jan Bednarek, Kamil Glik, Jakub Kiwior; Matty Cash, Grzegorz Krychowiak, Krystian Bielik, Bartosz Bereszynski; Piotr Zielinski, Karol Swiderski; Robert Lewandowski.

Injured: None 

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None

Odds

 Mexico to winDrawPoland to win
Odds2.503.003.10
Probability (%) 383231

Prediction

Mexico 2-2 Poland

Live Stream

For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream