Kulesza aims to retain Poland’s representation in UEFA’s highest executive body, as Zbigniew Boniek’s second term on the committee is coming to an end.
Boniek, a former PZPN president, has served in UEFA’s leadership since 2017 and has been one of its vice presidents for the past four years.
Cezary Kulesza and Zbigniew Boniek. Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański
The UEFA Executive Committee consists of 20 members, including the president, six vice presidents, and 13 representatives from national football federations, most of whom are their respective presidents.
The committee is responsible for key decisions, such as selecting hosts for major tournaments—including the European championship and Champions League finals—and distributing UEFA development funds.
The PZPN confirmed in a statement that the decision to nominate Kulesza was made following consultations with the federation’s vice presidents.
The election will see national football federation candidates compete for nine available seats, with unofficial reports suggesting that the number of candidates could reach a record high.
The upcoming vote takes place as UEFA undergoes structural changes.
Under a new partnership agreement signed in October, the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) will, for the first time, be represented in UEFA’s governance.
Starting in May 2025, FIFPro will have an advisory role within the Executive Committee.
A term on the UEFA Executive Committee lasts four years, with half of its members being elected every two years.
Boniek was the second Polish official in history to hold a seat on the committee, following Leszek Rylski, who served in the 1950s and 1960s.
Poland has increased its presence in European football governance in recent years, particularly due to its successful organization of major events.
In 2024, Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy stadium hosted the UEFA Super Cup between Spain's Real Madrid and Italy's Atalanta.
The country is set to host the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Wrocław later this year, as well as the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship.
In 2026, Poland will organize the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, and the PZPN has submitted bids to host the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in 2027 and the UEFA Women’s European Championship in 2029.
PZPN also highlighted Poland’s recent achievements in youth football.
In the 2022-23 season, three Polish youth teams qualified for the European championships, outperforming football powerhouses such as England, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium.
In 2024, Poland’s under-21 men’s team qualified for the European championship, and in December, the senior women’s national team secured its first-ever European championship qualification.
Additionally, Poland’s under-17 women’s team finished third in the European championship and reached the quarterfinals of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP, TVP