The head coach of Odesa’s Chornomorets, Oleksandr Kuchер, shared his expectations for the start of the Ukrainian national team in the qualifying cycle for the World Cup 2026.
Oleksandr Kuchер
— Oleksandr, what are your expectations from the opening matches of the Ukrainian national team in the World Cup 2026 qualifying tournament?
— Undoubtedly, we are facing tough matches. The French national team is the number one favorite for first place in our group. However, we have had victories against this opponent, and if we manage to play disciplined, with desire and full commitment, anything is possible.
— What positives and negatives do you see ahead of this tournament?
— We must understand that the level of our championship has significantly dropped, and this, of course, affects the level of the national team, and many players playing abroad cannot boast of consistent performances. Our national team has serious problems ahead of the start of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers. I can only wish that Serhiy Rebrov gets through this situation with honor.
— Indeed, Lunin, Mykolenko, Talovyerov, Zinchenko, Malinovskyi, Yaremchuk, and possibly Dovbyk. These are players who are injured or limited in playing time. Could this become a big problem for the “blue-yellows”?
— Some of the players you mentioned have not been called up for this gathering. Due to problems with playing time, a player loses confidence, and this harms not only the player but also the national team. The coach of the national team always wants candidates to play; then all their pros and cons are visible.
— Do you see new names for the Ukrainian national team?
— In the announced list, there are two newcomers. Taras Mykhavko, despite all the problems of Dynamo, in my opinion, is making progress. Oleg Ocheretko has also established himself well at the start of the season, whom Shakhtar’s coach Arda Turan trusts. But generally, the coaching staff knows better in this sense; they study the capabilities of each player more thoroughly.
— What is your prediction for the outcome of the Ukrainian national team’s performances in the qualifiers?
— By nature, I am a maximalist, so I will always believe in the best. At a minimum, our national team has the right to aim for second place in the group.
— Can the first match against France be key for the “blue-yellows”?
— Absolutely. If we can achieve a positive result, the team can gain an emotional boost and believe in its strengths. This would be a good start for the upcoming games in the qualifiers. Furthermore, it would give a real opportunity to dream about winning in their group.
Serhiy Dem'yanchuk
