Despite Poland failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Jan Urban extension talks are well underway, with the Poland national team head coach only tasting defeat once since taking over from Michal Probierz in July 2025.
Poland, with Urban in charge, have looked like a more assured side, but are prone to a defensive mistake or two.
The Jan Urban extension talks started circulating on Tuesday after the 3-2 defeat to Sweden in the 2026 World Cup Play-Off Final.
Even though the defeat ended Poland’s chances of reaching the World Cup this summer, there were lots of positives from the game against Sweden and the Whites and Reds’ overall performances under the stewardship of Jan Urban.
Jan Urban Extension: A Deserved Contract Extension And The Right Man To Lead Poland National Team Forward
After Poland’s success at Euro 2016, the White and Reds have not had any real success at a major tournament.
Following Adam Nawalka’s five-year stint as Poland national team head coach, the next longest serving head coach was Jerzy Brzeczek, Nawalka’s successor, who held the role for three years.
Since 2021, Poland have had five head coaches, two Portuguese coaches and three Poland-born managers.
Paulo Sousa and Fernando Santos, head coaches with relative success at club level, and especially international level for the latter, were assigned a tough job when accepting the role as Poland national team head coach.
A clear squad refresh was needed, and a new identity needed to be found; however, both of them lasted less than a year in charge.
The likes of Czeslaw Michniewicz and Michal Probierz were also tried, with the latter lasting two years, but the announcement of Urban was an exciting one.
Steering the Poland national team back in the right direction, getting positive results against the Netherlands and crucial wins on the board in the 2026 World Cup qualifying, Urban has become a highly likeable figure among Polish fans.
Regardless of the upset against Sweden on Tuesday, it was reported that the Jan Urban extension would be happening as the 63-year-old looks to be guiding Poland towards an ever-important European Championships in two years.
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Jan Urban Extension: In The Jaws Of Defeat, The Good Times Are Coming
Immediately after the defeat against Sweden on Tuesday night, the Poland national team would have been hurting after missing out on the 2026 World Cup.
However, Cezary Kulesza, the President of the Polish Football Association, was quick to set the record straight and get the Jan Urban extension talks underway.
Kulesza said on X: “Football can be a brutal game. Unfortunately, we won’t be making it to the World Cup. We all feel a sense of disappointment. A moment ago in the changing room, I thanked the team for their efforts. I also announced that Jan Urban’s contract will be extended.”
Regardless of a bad situation, Urban has been able to add the correct mix of youth to the massive amount of experience in the national team already.
The youthful likes of Jakub Kaminski, Filip Rozga, Oskar Pietuszewski and many more have shown glimpses of brilliance for their clubs and have warranted places in the Poland national team system.
With these new additions to the Poland squad, the White and Reds will be hoping that a new golden generation is forming.
Jan Urban Extension: Is Time Up For Robert Lewandowski?
Happiness was beaming from the legendary Polish striker after he scored the equaliser against Albania in the Play-Off Semi-Final.
However, the mood was completely different in the loss against Sweden as a teary-eyed Lewandowski took the captain’s armband off his arm whilst waving to Poland fans that travelled to the Strawberry Arena.
Every Polish fan is asking the same question: Is Lewandowski’s time up for the Poland national team?
The answer that everyone wants to hear is no, but that answer will likely come in the months to come as Poland’s all-time leading goalscorer deliberates his future for club and country.
Whilst no one wants him to leave, whilst everyone wants the forward to have one final farewell tournament, Lewandowski’s Instagram post with Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli’s song “Time to Say Goodbye” can state one bleak message that the forward is looking to deliver.
No decision has been made on his future with the Polish national team so far, but Urban will look to keep his captain and give him one final farewell tournament at Euro 2028; however, by that point Lewandowski would be approaching 40-years-old.
The Jan Urban extension is a crucial one because it avoids the constant turnover in head coaches, and it is a decision that could see Lewandowski stay put for another year or two.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / SOPA Images
Recording Date: 26.03.2026
