The Ukrainian national football team has kicked off its qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. The first qualifier took place on September 5, 2025, in a nominally home match against France, ending in a 0-2 defeat for the Ukrainians, reports Baltimore Chronicle.
The qualifying draw was held in December 2024, placing Serhiy Rebrov’s squad in Group D. Ukraine’s opponents include Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the winner of the 2024/25 Nations League playoff between Croatia and France. In March 2025, France defeated Croatia on penalties, joining Ukraine’s qualifying group.
Ukraine is scheduled to play two matches per month in September, October, and November 2025. After the opening game against France, Rebrov’s team will travel to face Azerbaijan on September 9. In the first round, Azerbaijan suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat against Iceland.
Ukraine’s upcoming fixtures include the October matches against Iceland (October 10, away) and Azerbaijan (October 13, home). In November, the team will play France again in Paris (November 13) and host Iceland (November 16).
In European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, twelve group winners will advance directly. The remaining four spots will be determined in March 2026 through playoffs. Twelve second-place teams from the qualifying groups, along with the four best Nations League 2024/25 group winners who finish outside the top two in their qualifying groups, will compete for the final places.
The group stage will continue until November 2025, and the playoff matches will consist of single-leg semifinals and finals to determine the remaining World Cup participants.
Earlier we wrote that Rebrov comments on Ukraine’s 0:2 loss to France in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
