Football expert and coach Oleh Fedorchuk discusses the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualification match between the French and Ukrainian national teams.
— Mr. Viktorovych, is fan Fedorchuk anticipating the last two matches of Ukraine’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers with optimism or pessimism?
— I have cautious optimism (smiles). There are examples, or rather historical parallels, where the Ukrainian team, backed against the wall, manages to extract the maximum and achieve the desired outcome.
Also, I would note that our direct competitor, Iceland, will have it tougher than us. Firstly, they have two away matches, and secondly, with all due respect to this country, their resources are not like ours, even in the current situation.
— What worries you most ahead of matches against France and Iceland?
— A slight lack of variability in attack. I mean, if a draw suits the Icelanders in their last match. Artem Dovbyk is injured, Roman Yaremchuk is just regaining form after an injury, and Vladyslav Vanat performed very weakly in the last two matches in La Liga.
— In your opinion, why are replacements often made from the reserve list instead of defenders or midfielders who are out, while this is not the case with forwards?
— That’s the question. There’s some conservatism in the attack. Serhiy Rebrov seems to have some jealousy towards forwards (laughs). But seriously, why not try Yehor Tverdokhlib or Filip Budkivskyi? This doesn’t mean they should be immediately put on the field. But their variability would hardly hurt. In attack, like nowhere else, you can experiment, as the risks are minimal.
— Does Oleksandr Zinchenko’s injury limit the «Blue and Yellow’s» potential?
— I don’t think so. The Kaluzhny case is proof of this. Ivan was called up at the last moment but managed to assert himself and became Super Ivan (smiles). It could be the same with another player. One can also cite the example of Illya Zabarnyi, who debuted for the national team at 18. Many were surprised then. But we see where this defender is now. So, I wouldn’t assert that the loss of Zinchenko cannot be compensated.
— Many experts urge Serhiy Rebrov to strategically conduct these two matches so that there is enough strength and resources for the confrontation with Iceland. Do you agree?
— Without a doubt. Again one can cite an example, though from club football. «Dynamo» achieved a bright victory in the Conference League, expending a lot of energy, and then three days later in a championship match, which is presumably a priority for Kyivans, they didn’t have enough.
If the Ukrainian team gives their all in the game against France, will there be enough energy for Iceland? No secret here that in doubleheaders, the second matches are much harder for us. Meanwhile, Iceland’s opponent will be simpler. Hence, careful consideration is needed on how to play against the French and with what lineup to both save face and win in the more important game.
— Do you not allow for the possibility that in the parallel match of our group, Azerbaijan might take points from Iceland?
— Why not? The Icelandic coach will also need to puzzle over how to allocate energy for two matches correctly. Both Ukraine and Iceland will probably try to solve their tasks in the first matches with minimal effort. But the situation could be such that the «Blue and Yellows» at least do not lose to France, while the islanders may fall in Baku, making our last group match a formality. That would, of course, be a fantastic scenario for Ukraine, one that we would like to believe in. Incidentally, the «Blue and Yellows» are in a somewhat advantageous situation since, by the start of our game in Paris, the result of the Azerbaijan-Iceland match will already be known.
Therefore, we would like to wish our national team’s coaching staff luck in guessing the strategy. However, it’s important to understand that we don’t have two equivalent squads. In any case, someone will have to play two matches. Again, much depends on the coach, who will have information about who is in what condition before the decisive battle.
— What is your prediction for the France vs. Ukraine match?
— We will probably play defensively to minimize risks, as many of our players are at risk of suspension.
— Will we manage to score against the French?
— I think so. The opponent’s defense is not flawless. I just doubt we’ll manage to take points. 1:2. Everything will be decided in the match against Iceland on November 16.
Sergiy Boychenko