Four faces of Poland’s future. Who to watch at the U17 Women's World Cup

In recent years, Polish women’s football has been making it increasingly clear that an exceptionally promising new generation is emerging. The youth national teams regularly compete against the best in Europe and the world, and are gradually proving that their recent successes were no coincidence.

The current squad, managed by Paulina Kawalec, also features several names we are likely to hear more and more about in the coming years. Some players are already regulars in Poland’s senior leagues, whilst others are making a name for themselves in the national team jersey, and leading European clubs are beginning to take an interest in the most promising talents. We have selected four players who are definitely worth keeping a closer eye on at the ongoing World Championship.

Zofia Burzan

“Zimna Zośka” (calm or cold Sophie), as this native of Żory is sometimes nicknamed by the Polish media, is one of the most promising prospects not only in Polish but also in European football. She first attracted significant attention when, at the age of just 15 years and 88 days, she became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Polish top flight. 

She also won the hearts of fans whilst playing for the Polish national team, scoring four goals for Poland during the recent European U17 Championship. No other Polish player scored in that tournament.

This incredibly dynamic midfielder is capable of playing in several positions. She is particularly known for her refined technique, and her greatest weapon is her long-range shooting. It is therefore no surprise that Barcelona Femení have been keeping a close eye on her for some time, even inviting the young rising star for trials on two occasions. 

However, Zofia has (at least for now) resisted the Catalan lure and, a few months ago, signed a contract with Czarni Sosnowiec running until 2028. It is likely that she may then head to Catalonia, where Polish women’s football now enjoys a good reputation, largely thanks to Ewa Pajor.

Blanka Zając

The captain of the “Biało-Czerwone” (white and red in polish) stands out above all for her pace, which enables her to be a valuable asset both in attack and in midfield. She is however equally known for her tenacity and technical ability, making her an ideal prospect for scouts from Europe’s top leagues. Nevertheless, she is set to remain at Pogoń Szczecin until 2027.

“Anything is possible in football. We want to go as far as we can. Sometimes, a single point, a single goal or a tiny difference can decide whether we go through. Anything can happen. Our aim is to achieve the best possible result. We always set ourselves high standards and want to go as far as we can,” says the Polish team leader, making no secret of her ambitions.

Hanna Buchta

The 182-centimetre-tall goalkeeping prodigy is often likened to a cat thanks to her shot-stopping skills and the way she moves. Buchta also earned the admiration of women’s football fans at the UEFA European U17 Championship, where she saved her team on numerous occasions.

“If it weren’t for Hanna, the Polish side would have conceded far more goals at the European Championship. As for club level, I think Hanna could handle the number one spot at Rekord Bielsko-Biała, but Kinga Ptaszek isn’t letting her into goal on a regular basis just yet,” commented Polish football journalist Leszek Ziętkiewicz on the situation surrounding the young talent. Buchta has a contract with the Silesian club until 2027. Where her path will take her after that remains to be seen.

Maja Wiśniewska

An exceptionally talented centre-back who, strangely enough, still plays for one of the lower-ranked teams in the second division. Her most notable attributes are, above all, her exceptional strength and mobility, which have proved particularly useful to the Polish side on countless occasions in previous matches.

This well-liked player from KP Bydgoszcz is also known for not shying away from rough tackles and for not hesitating to stand up for her team-mates in tense situations. As well as football, she has also enjoyed success in futsal, having won gold in the Polish Futsal Championship at club level.