VOLLEY WEEK

Poland announced the expanded squad for the 2026 season: 12 debutants and serious absences before the three matches with Bulgaria

The Polish Federation announced the extended squad of the men's national team for the 2026 representative season, in which Nikola Grbić's team will be one of Bulgaria's main rivals. The two teams will meet three times during the campaign – at the "Silesia Cup" tournament, in the Nations League, and in the group stage of the 2026 European Championship.The first thing that stands out in Poland's selection is the extensive rejuvenation. The list includes 12 debutants, and the youngest name in the extended squad is the merely 16-year-old setter Jakub Przybyłkowicz, who is 204 cm tall and a U19 vice-world champion.At the same time, several of the most recognizable figures of the Polish national team are absent from the squad, including Bartosz Kurek, Łukasz Kaczmarek, Grzegorz Łomacz, Norbert Huber, Bartosz Bednorz, and Bartosz Kwolek. Furthermore, Marcin Janusz and Paweł Zatorski have concluded their national team careers before the 2026 season. Poland's extended squad for the 2026 season The Polish staff has opted for significant depth across all positions, but the names among the outside hitters and middle blockers make the strongest impression. It is there that the depth seems greatest, while the most visible personnel changes are occurring among the setters following the end of Marcin Janusz's career and the absence of Grzegorz Łomacz.