As is known, following the results of the semifinals of the Ukrainian Cup held yesterday, the final match of the tournament will be played by Kyiv’s “Dynamo” and Donetsk’s “Shakhtar”. This has determined another representative of Ukraine in the European Cups for the 2025/26 season: following “Dynamo” is “Alexandria”. We explain in detail why.
Players of “Alexandria”. Photo — FC “Alexandria”Let us remind you that in the next European Cup season, Ukraine will be represented by four teams: the champion of the country will play in the Champions League, the holder of the Ukrainian Cup will play in the Europa League, and the silver and bronze medalists will play in the Conference League.
However, as often happens, this nominal distribution can change due to the fact that the same teams qualify for the European Cups through both the championship and the national Cup quota.
Considering the current tournament situation in the UPL and the number of remaining matches in the tournament, “Alexandria”, which is currently in second place, will not drop below fourth: only “Shakhtar” and “Polesie” can surpass it.
Now let’s see how the outcome of the struggle for the Ukrainian Cup and the gold medals of the Ukrainian championship can affect this situation. There are only three possible scenarios.
Option 1. The champion of Ukraine and the holder of the Ukrainian Cup is the same team (“Dynamo” or “Shakhtar”).
In this case, the season’s champion will play in the Champions League, and their European Cup quota as the holder of the Ukrainian Cup will go, according to the regulations, to the vice-champion of Ukraine. Accordingly, the third and fourth teams of the Ukrainian championship will play in the Conference League, which guarantees “Alexandria” a spot in the European Cups.
Option 2. “Dynamo” wins the Ukrainian Cup, but another team becomes the champion of Ukraine.
In this case, “Dynamo” as the holder of the Ukrainian Cup will play in the Europa League, but the Kyivans have guaranteed themselves a place in the top three of the UPL, and thus will free their European Cup quota by the Ukrainian championship, and accordingly, the fourth team of the UPL will receive a ticket to the Conference League. Thus, “Alexandria” will again make it to the European Cups, as it is worth noting that it cannot drop below fourth place.
Option 3. “Shakhtar” wins the Ukrainian Cup, but another team becomes the champion of Ukraine.
In this case, “Shakhtar” as the holder of the Ukrainian Cup will play in the Europa League and will accordingly free their possible European Cup quota by the Ukrainian championship. And even if the “miners” do not retain a place in the top three, the worst case for “Alexandria” in this situation will be third (European Cup) place, as only “Polesie” can surpass “Alexandria” in the tournament table.
Thus, no matter how the struggle in the UPL and the Ukrainian Cup concludes at the end of the current season, “Alexandria” will receive a ticket to the European Cups in any scenario.
