The Ukrainian national football team has officially determined the match calendar for 2025. As reported by Obozrevatel, Serhiy Rebrov's team will hold eight official matches: first, it will play in the Nations League playoffs for entry into Division A, and then start qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Also planned are friendly matches, the opponents for which have not yet been determined, writes IZ.
The Ukrainians will play their first official matches in March – a two-match confrontation with Belgium awaits them in the Nations League play-offs. The first game will take place on March 20 in Ukraine, and the return match will take place on March 23 in Belgium. The winner of this duel will receive the right to play in the strongest division of the Nations League.
Then in September, the qualification for the 2026 World Cup will begin, where the “blue and yellow” have been drawn into Group D along with Azerbaijan, Iceland and one of the giants – France or Croatia. Ukraine will start on September 5 with a home match against one of the top rivals, and on September 9 they will play away against Azerbaijan. In October and November, the team will have four more matches that could be decisive in the fight for a place in the World Cup.
Schedule of matches for the Ukrainian national team in 2025
League of Nations. Play-off for a place in Division A
• March 20, 21:45 – Ukraine – Belgium
• March 23, 21:45 – Belgium – Ukraine
Qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Group D
• September 5, 21:45 – Ukraine – France/Croatia
• September 9, 19:00 – Azerbaijan – Ukraine
• October 10, 21:45 – Iceland – Ukraine
• October 13, 21:45 – Ukraine – Azerbaijan
• November 13, 21:45 – France/Croatia – Ukraine
• November 16, 19:00 – Ukraine – Iceland
For the first time in history, 48 teams will compete at the 2026 World Cup. Europe will receive 16 tickets to the World Cup – 12 group winners will qualify directly, and four more teams will be determined in the play-offs. Ukraine has only played in the World Cup once – in 2006, they reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to the future champions, the Italian national team.
