A study conducted by K+ Research by Insight Lab shows that as many as 65 percent respondents plan to support another national team during the tournament. Spain enjoys the greatest recognition, indicated by almost every fifth respondent. The main motivations for choosing other teams are the style of play and sympathy for a given country.
— The lack of the Polish national team at the World Cup certainly changes the way we experience the tournament, but it does not take away from fans the emotions associated with the World Cup itself. Our research shows that the majority of football fans still want to actively participate in the tournament, follow its heroes and support a team with which they can identify. The World Cup remains a unique event that goes beyond the boundaries of national teams and attracts fans with stories, competition and the unpredictability of sport – comments Adrian SztukSenior Brand Manager at Betclic Polska, a legal Polish bookmaker on whose behalf the study was conducted.
Spain ahead of Portugal, but Croatia ahead of Argentina
In the study, the most frequently chosen option was chosen by 19 percent. respondents are represented by Spain. Interestingly, its popularity increases to 28%. among people aged 18-24. In second place, respondents choose Portugal — 8.21 percent indications. Podium — from 7.81 percent — complemented by Brazil. Right behind it ex aequo are France and Germanywhich indicates 7.41 percent respondents. The next place is 5.53%. respondents choose England. 4.64% of people declare sympathy for Croatians. Whereas Argentina team 3.26% will support respondents. Other representations are also indicated by 2%. respondents.
— The choice of the “second team” is rarely accidental. Of course, fans pay attention to the sports quality, stars and chances of final success, but emotions, playing style and the stories behind a given team are equally important. That's why national teams such as Spain, Portugal and Croatia are so popular. The World Cup has always been more than just a football tournament – it is about stories, heroes and emotions that fans want to identify with – he says Adrian SztukSenior Brand Manager at Betclic Polska.
Poles want to experience the World Cup despite the lack of the Polish national team – they focus on style and sympathy for other teams
Among the reasons why 65 percent 37.88% of Poles will support other national teams. of them mentions the style of play. For 36.52 percent sympathy for the country, its culture and people is key. 30.46 percent is suggested by the chance of success of a given team. 27.73 percent will support a given team because of the presence of a player or players they like in it. 21.06 percent lists good memories related to a given country. However, every fifth respondent declares that he is impressed by the character of a given team.
Less important for respondents are factors such as “supporting the national team supported by family/friends” — 8.03 percent; “similarity to the Polish national team” — 7.88 percent; “supporting a national team that has little chance of success in favor of supporting the favorite” — 6.21 percent; or habit or sentiment, understood as “even when Poland plays in a tournament, it always supports this national team.” This last factor is indicated by 5.61 percent. Other reasons are mentioned only by less than 0.8 percent of respondents.
Survey research methodology entitled “Research on the preferences of Polish fans”
The study was conducted in the form of a computer-assisted online survey (CAWI) between May 22 and 25, 2026, on a sample of 1,012 adult Poles. The selection of the research sample was random and quota. The quotas were imposed on the gender, age and size of the respondents' place of residence.
