Matty Cash has spoken of his excitement at representing Poland at his maiden World Cup.
The Aston Villa right-back is set to get his first taste of international tournament football when Poland get underway against Mexico in Qatar on Tuesday afternoon (ko 4pm).
It represents an incredible personal journey for Cash, who only made his Poland debut in November 2022.
Seven caps and one goal later, with his strike coming against the Netherlands in the Nations League, Villa defender Cash will make his bow at the biggest football tournament in the world.
“I’m really excited,” he told VillaTV.
“It’s a major tournament so it’s going to be great, I’m looking forward to it.
“It’ll be exciting and challenging, but as I say, it’s a big major tournament so nothing but excitement, really.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Cash added: “I saw the other day it’s been a year; it’s gone so quickly.
“Time flies when you’re having fun.
“I’ve really enjoyed it there so far, so hopefully we can have a successful World Cup.”
Poland will also take on Saudi Arabia and Argentina in Group C of the World Cup.
Cash says he is looking forward to coming up against Emi Martínez when Poland face La Albiceleste on Wednesday, November 30.
And he will do it all alongside Villa team-mate and compatriot Jan Bednarek, who is set to appear at his second World Cup after 2018.
Asked what it’s like to have the defender alongside him, Cash said: “It’s brilliant.
“He’s trying to help me with my Polish a little bit, he comes in every morning and says ‘hello’ in Polish. It’s quite funny.
“Jan’s a top player, it’s really good to have him here, we’ve got a really good connection off the pitch as well as on it.”
Leading the line for Poland will be one of the most prolific strikers in world football.
Barcelona and former Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski is Poland’s all-time leading goalscorer and heads into his fifth major tournament, having collected an abundance of honours for club and country.
“His name speaks for itself, he’s such a good player, such a talented goalscorer, I don’t really need to describe what he is,” added Cash.
“Playing alongside someone like that, with his experience and his quality, in a major tournament is going to be really helpful for us.
“Hopefully he can just carry on doing what he does, scoring goals, and help us progress.”
