What Is the Identity of the Fighter Jet Next to the Poland National Football Team Heading to Qatar?

2 F-16 Fighters Escort Team to Southern Poland Border
Concerns Over Ukraine War Escalation Rise... Authorities Implement Special Protection Measures

A Polish Air Force fighter jet is escorting the plane of the Poland national football team heading to Qatar to participate in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Photo by Poland National Football Team Official Twitter Account

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] It has been revealed that the Polish Air Force escorted the plane carrying the Poland national football team participating in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The New York Post reported on the 18th (local time) that the Polish Air Force used two F-16 fighter jets to accompany the team up to the southern border. This was disclosed after a video showing the air force fighter jets escorting the plane bound for Qatar alongside the Polish team was posted on the official social media account.

In the video, one pilot displayed a message on the cockpit window alongside the team’s name that read, "Through football, we become one." The Polish team added that the pilot is "both a pilot and a fan of the Poland national football team."

The background to this event is linked to the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As the war, now in its ninth month, risks escalating to neighboring countries, Polish authorities have taken special protective measures to prevent unexpected damage.

In particular, a recent missile strike incident in Poland has heightened concerns about escalation. On the 15th, two missiles fell in Przewod?w, a village in eastern Poland near the Ukrainian border, killing two civilians.

According to a preliminary analysis by NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the missiles were identified as Ukrainian air defense missiles launched in response to a Russian missile attack. Although it was confirmed that this was not an intentional attack by Russia, the anxiety among Polish residents continues to grow.

Meanwhile, the Poland national football team, escorted by the air force, safely arrived at Doha International Airport in Qatar and is preparing for their matches. Poland, grouped in Group C along with Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina, will play their first group stage match against Mexico on the 23rd.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.