Ukrainian journalist Ihor Semyon talked about possible opponents of the Ukrainian national team in case our national team reaches the play-offs of the 2026 World Cup qualification.
Photo: UAFThe European segment of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers play-offs as of 00:45 on October 15, 2025 (information remains unchanged until the start of the November FIFA window):
Pot 1: Italy, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland;
Pot 2: Czech Republic, Hungary, Scotland, Slovakia;
Pot 3: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia;
Pot 4: Wales, Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland.
In the semi-finals of the play-offs, representatives of the first pot will face representatives of the fourth pot (pairs are determined by draw), representatives of the second pot — with representatives of the third pot (pairs are determined by draw). The home teams in the semi-finals will be from the first and second pots.
In the final, the winners of the semi-finals of each of the four paths (A, B, C, D) play against each other.
Pots are formed according to the FIFA ranking + LN-2024/25 ranking.
Twelve teams with the highest FIFA ranking, occupying second places in their groups, will form the first three pots (the top four teams with the highest rating — in the first pot, the second four — in the second, the third four — in the third). The fourth pot will be formed by four teams with the best LN-2024/25 rankings that finished outside the top-2 in the qualifiers.
What does Ukraine need?
— to finish in the top-2 in their group;
— to be placed in the first pot of the play-offs seeding, among the 11 second places, a maximum of three teams should have a higher rating than Ukraine;
— it would be beneficial to have the weakest possible composition of the 4th pot (assuming we get into the first). Moldova is currently outside the play-offs but can still return; there is also a chance for San Marino. For example, in the current situation, for San Marino to enter the list of potential opponents for Ukraine, Romania needs to finish second in their group. San Marino can help Romania in this by losing to them with as large a goal difference as possible in their head-to-head match.
