Polish Football Association (PZPN): Governing the Beautiful Game in Poland
The Polish Football Association, known in Polish as Polski Związek Piłki Nożnej (PZPN), serves as the primary governing body for association football within Poland. Based in the capital city of Warsaw, the PZPN is responsible for the strategic management of the sport, overseeing the national cups and the organization of Polish football leagues, with the exception of the Ekstraklasa. Beyond traditional football, the association also manages the national teams for both men and women, as well as the national competitions for beach soccer and futsal (a variant of association football played on a smaller, hard court).
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Key Facts
- Founded: 20 December 1919
- Headquarters: Warsaw, Poland
- FIFA Affiliation: 20 April 1923
- UEFA Affiliation: 2 March 1955
- Current President: Cezary Kulesza
- Scope: Manages national teams, national cups, futsal, and beach soccer.
Historical Evolution of the PZPN
The PZPN was established as a fully independent federation on 20 December 1919. It absorbed the autonomous Polish Football Union (PFU), which had been founded earlier on 25 June 1911 in Lwów, Austria-Hungary, as part of the Austrian Football Union.
The association's operations were violently interrupted during World War II. Following the Wehrmacht invasion of Poland in September 1939, the German occupying forces dissolved all Polish institutions, including the PZPN, and strictly forbade the organization of football matches by Poles.
Modern Challenges and Leadership
In the 21st century, the PZPN has navigated periods of administrative instability. In September 2008, the Polish Olympic Committee suspended the association's leadership for flagrant violations of its statutes. Prior to this, the Polish sports ministry attempted to combat corruption within the organization, though these efforts were met with threats of suspension from FIFA, which prohibits government intervention in football governance.
Leadership transitions followed these crises, with Grzegorz Lato assuming the presidency on 30 October 2008, followed by Zbigniew Boniek on 26 October 2012. The current president, Cezary Kulesza, was elected on 28 August 2021.
The association also uses its platform to honor the sport's history and victims of tragedy. In 2019, during its centennial year and the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the PZPN honored Józef Klotz, a former national team player who was killed in the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust.
Organizational Structure
To ensure effective regional management, the PZPN is divided into 16 provincial associations. These associations correspond directly to the 16 voivodeships (administrative provinces) of Poland.
| Voivodeship (Region) | Corresponding Football Association |
|---|---|
| Lower Silesian | Lower Silesian Football Association |
| Kuyavian-Pomeranian | Kuyavian-Pomeranian Football Association |
| Lublin | Lublin Football Association |
| Lubusz | Lubusz Football Association |
| Łódź | Łódź Football Association |
| Lesser Poland | Lesser Poland Football Association |
| Masovian | Masovian Football Association |
| Opole | Opole Football Association |
| Podkarpackie | Podkarpackie Football Association |
| Podlaskie | Podlaskie Football Association |
| Pomeranian | Pomeranian Football Association |
| Silesian | Silesian Football Association |
| Świętokrzyskie | Świętokrzyskie Football Association |
| Warmian-Masurian | Warmian-Masurian Football Association |
| Greater Poland | Greater Poland Football Association |
| West Pomeranian | West Pomeranian Football Association |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Polish Football Association founded?
The PZPN was established as a fully independent federation on 20 December 1919, following the integration of the Polish Football Union.
Who is the current president of the PZPN?
Cezary Kulesza has served as the president since his election on 28 August 2021.
Does the PZPN manage the Ekstraklasa?
No, while the PZPN organizes various Polish football leagues and national cups, it does not organize the Ekstraklasa.
How is the PZPN structured regionally?
The association is divided into 16 provincial associations, each corresponding to one of Poland's 16 voivodeships.
When did Poland join FIFA and UEFA?
Poland became affiliated with FIFA on 20 April 1923 and joined UEFA on 2 March 1955.