Friday 18 November 2022 09:05 AM Poland's World Cup squad fly into Qatar with F-16 fighter jet escort trends now
Poland's national team flying to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup were escorted by F-16 fighter jets yesterday, after Tuesday night's fatal missile strike.
Two Polish citizens were killed in the strike in the country's east, four miles from the Ukrainian border, as Ukraine continues to defend itself from Russia's invasion.
Authorities are still trying to ascertain exactly where the missile came from, with early indications pointing to a Ukrainian air defence system seeking to counter the Russian bombardment - an assertion Ukraine has denied.
In a sign that Poland is taking no risks following the deadly strike, footage released by the country on Thursday showed a passenger jet carrying its football national team being escorted by a pair of F-16 fighter jets.
'We were escorted to the southern border of Poland by F16 planes!' the Twitter account for the national team posted yesterday.
'Thank you and greetings to the pilots!'
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Poland's national team flying to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup were escorted by F-16 fighter jets on Thursday, after Tuesday night's missile strike. Pictured: The Polish national team's passenger plane is shown next to a F-16 fighter jet
Photos were shared taken from the three different aircraft.
The fighter jets were seen flying almost wing-to-wing along-side the passenger jet, decorated in Poland's national colours of red and white.
'Republic of Poland' was written down the side of the passenger plane. Its tail wing was adorned with images of historic figures of Poland, with the dates 1918 - 2018.
In Polish, a message read: '100th anniversary of regaining independence of Poland'.
Video also showed the national team posing for a farewell photograph with staff before boarding the plane. Footage, shot through a window of the passenger jet, showed the two fighter jets flying along-side.
Superstar captain Robert Lewandowski and his teammates are hoping to guide Poland out of Group C for their first knock-out round appearance since 1986.
Poland qualified for the World Cup from the same group as England, finishing six points behind them in second place.
In a sign that Poland is taking no risks following the deadly strike, footage released by the country on Thursday showed a passenger jet carrying the national team being escorted by a pair of F-16 fighter jets (pictured)
Pictured: Poland's national team and staff are seen posing for a photograph by the plane
They then recieved a bye in their play-off semi final due to Russia being disqualified from participating in the tournament on account of its invasion of Ukraine.
Poland went on to triumph in their play-off final at home against Sweden, which saw them beat Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Co. 2-0.
The World Cup kicks off on Sunday with a tie between hosts Qatar and Ecuador. For Poland, their first clash comes against Mexico on Tuesday.
Czeslaw Michniewicz's then take on Saudi Arabia on Saturday (Nov. 26), before coming up against tournament favourites Argentina on Wednesday, November 30.
Footage, shot through a window of the passenger jet, showed the fighter jets flying along-side
