The Ukrainian national football team has reached the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-offs after defeating Iceland in the sixth round of qualification. Under the leadership of Serhiy Rebrov, the team will attempt to reach the world championship through play-offs for the first time in 20 years.
For the third time in a row, Ukraine is finishing the group stage in the fight for a place in the World Cup in the playoffs. The last time the "blue and yellow" were close to success was in 2022, when they defeated Scotland in the semi-finals, but lost to Wales in the final due to an own goal by Andriy Yarmolenko. In previous attempts to qualify for the World Cup, the Ukrainian team also failed to pass the decisive barrier.
Playoff opponents and match dates
During the draw, Ukraine received the status of a seeded team. In the semifinals, Rebrov's team will face the Swedish team, one of the strongest potential opponents.
If the Ukrainians defeat the Swedes, the decisive match for a ticket to the World Cup will be held against the winner of the Poland-Albania match.
-
Playoff semi-finals: March 26, 2026
-
Playoff finals: March 31, 2026
Ukraine will host the semi-final match.
The chance we've been waiting for for 20 years
If successful, the Ukrainian national team will play in the World Cup for the first time since 2006. Then, Oleg Blokhin's team made its debut at the World Cup and reached the quarterfinals, which still remains the best result in the history of Ukrainian football.
Now, Serhiy Rebrov's team faces the most crucial stage in the qualifiers - two matches that will determine whether we will see the "blue and yellow" at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
