Belgium W vs Poland W - World Cup - Women - Qualification Europe

The history between Belgium W and Poland W lends this World Cup - Women - Qualification Europe fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on October 9, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. Josh Allen had an impressive first game at the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium in their second NFL fixture of the season.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the World Cup - Women - Qualification Europe contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts have been imperious, WWDDW in their last five underpinning an elite win rate of 66.67% that marks them out as genuine contenders. The visitors have been enduring a wretched campaign, LLLLL in their last five and a season win rate of just 0% that leaves them deep in trouble. Where Belgium W have leaned on defensive discipline, Poland W have often taken the initiative going forward, and that stylistic difference should shape the contest. In his latest column, Paul Merson predicts the 2026/27 Premier League season at both ends of the table.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Belgium W will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Poland W must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. After the loss, a lot of questions began to be raised about their different approach to preparing for the game.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. Elsewhere in Ligue 1, on-loan Southampton striker Cameron Archer scored on his debut for Auxerre but could not stop Lyon running out 3-1 winners.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 4-4 draw feels like a fitting result. Whatever the outcome, the World Cup - Women - Qualification Europe fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.