Poland Tell Player He Won't Make World Cup Squad After Russia Transfer
Poland left back Maciej Rybus is set to miss the World Cup in Qatar, starting in November, after deciding to stay in Russia during the country's invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this year, Poland were one of several teams to put pressure on FIFA, when they refused to face Russia in the play-offs for the World Cup.
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It preceded the decision to ban them from international football and, subsequently, the tournament in Qatar from November to December.
Having since got through to the Middle East, by beating Sweden in the play off final, Poland now won't pick Rybus, after his decision to stay in Russia.
The full back's contract at Lokomotiv Moscow expired at the end of the season and, rather than leave the country, he has now signed for Spartak Moscow instead.
That decision has seen him dropped by the national team and manager Czeslaw Michniewicz has ruled out calling him up for Qatar.
"The coach of the Polish national team, Czesław Michniewicz, talked to Maciej Rybus, who was currently staying in Poland, after the training camp of the national team ended last week," a statement from the Polish FA said.
"The coach informed the player that, due to his current club situation, he would not be called up for the September training camp of the national team and would not take into account the team that would go to the World Cup in Qatar when determining the composition of the team."
The 32-year-old has made 66 appearances for the national team, but won't be adding to that any time soon, and they could miss his experience at the World Cup.
They will face Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia in Group C and could face defending champions France in the second round.
Although, if they do reach the knockout stages, it will be the first time they've done than since 1986, having qualified for just three finals since.
According to Polish outlet Gol 24, Rybus' decision was a difficult one to make, as his wife and two sons are Russian, and he has Russian citizenship.
It could be argued that he decided to stay in Russia, despite the invasion of Ukraine, due to fearing for his family's safety if they left.
Rybus' former national teammates Grzegorz Krychowiak and Sebastian Szymanski are still available for the team, despite having played for Russian clubs.
Former West Brom loanee Krychowiak had been playing for Krasnodar but decided to take advantage of UEFA's decision to allow players to leave Russia mid season, and moved to AEK Athens in March.
Szymanski has not left Dynamo Moscow officially yet but is on his way out of the club, and has been linked with Brentford, as a replacement for Christian Eriksen, who could move to Manchester United.
Topics: Poland, Russia, Football World Cup
Ryan Sidle