The “blue-yellows” will play two matches in September, October and November 2025.
The schedule of matches of the Ukrainian national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has been announced.
By the will of the draw, Serhiy Rebrov's team ended up in Group D. The “blue-yellows”' opponents will be the winner of the 2024/25 Nations League quarterfinal Croatia vs. France, as well as the national teams of Iceland and Azerbaijan.
The Ukrainians will play two matches in September, October and November 2025. Our team will begin the qualifying round for the world championship on September 5 with a nominally home match against France or Croatia.
In the final round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Ukrainian national team will play a nominally home match against Iceland on November 16.
Ukraine national team match schedule in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
September 5, 21:45. Ukraine vs. Croatia/France
September 9, 19:00. Azerbaijan vs. Ukraine
October 10, 21:45. Iceland vs. Ukraine
October 13, 21:45. Ukraine vs. Azerbaijan
November 13, 21:45. Croatia/France vs. Ukraine
November 16, 19:00. Ukraine vs. Iceland
Format of the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup
Sixteen European teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The 12 group winners will qualify directly for the final stage of the World Cup. Another four spots in the world championship will be awarded in the playoffs, where the 12 runners-up of the World Cup qualifying groups will compete with the four best group winners of the 2024/25 Nations League who finish lower than second in the group stage of the qualification.
The group stage of the European qualification for the 2026 World Cup will last from March to November 2025. The playoff matches will be held in March 2026, they will consist of single-match semi-finals and finals.
When and where will the final part of the 2026 World Cup be held
The 2026 World Cup will be held in three countries at once – the USA, Canada and Mexico. This World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams in the finals. From 1998 to 2022, the World Cup used a 32-team format.
The 23rd edition of the World Cup will be played in 16 cities. The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, and the final will be held in New York on July 19.