Soldiers of the Special Operations Forces and children of fallen and missing heroes witnessed the convincing victory of the Ukraine national team over Iceland (2:0) in the qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Photo: UAFThe visit of 120 Ukrainians to Poland was made possible thanks to the cooperation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' Special Operations Forces, the Special Operations Forces Veterans Association, the Ukrainian Football Association, the Ukrainian Football Veterans Association, and the Sobutsky Family Charitable Foundation. The units select the most deserving among their ranks — those who bravely defend the country every day — and the trip becomes a break and motivation to continue their service.
Motivation for the National Team
«I go to you» is the well-known motto of the Special Operations Forces. However, it is equally important that the SOF is a big friendly family where no one is left alone in the toughest times.
The military and children attended the national team’s pre-match training, saw the final preparations for the match, and talked with UAF President Andriy Shevchenko, national team head coach Serhiy Rebrov, and football players.
The children’s dream continued the next day: the boys and girls escorted the players of the Ukraine and Iceland national teams onto the field, lined up under the roaring stands, and sang the Ukrainian Anthem together. Perhaps, it was the children’s positivity and sincerity that gave the team the strength to tilt the scales in their favor at the end of the game. And photos with the country’s best players will become a special keepsake in family archives.
Besides football, participants in Warsaw had a meaningful excursion program.
Hat-Trick Against Poland
On the eve of the Ukraine and Iceland national teams' game, a landmark match took place. A combined team of Ukrainian national veterans and special forces faced a team of Polish stars.
On the Ukrainian side, well-known players like Yevhen Seleznev, Artem Fedetsky, Andriy Donets, Yuriy Pankiv, Andriy Khomin, and Valeriy Fedorchuk were joined by fast and agile guys from various SOF units. The team was colorful, interesting, and truly charged. The Polish team was led by Mariusz Lewandowski, familiar to Ukrainian fans, who invited players with top-level experience.
Prior to the game, UAF First Vice President Artem Stoyanov addressed the participants, and SOF fighter Mykola Kobilnyk with the call sign Eneyko handed over letters of thanks from SOF Commander Oleksandr Trepak to the match’s co-organizers, Veronika Marchuk and Mykola Shpakovsky, expressing gratitude to the Polish side for their constant support of Ukraine.
The focus then shifted to the football field. All players had the opportunity to play and feel the much-needed energy after combat duty. Yevhen Seleznev confirmed his striker’s class by completing a hat-trick. The result of the meeting — 3:1 in favor of the Ukrainian team.
Powerful Support Force
At all home qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup this fall, the Ukraine national team received military support. Gathered in the sector, SOF fighters cheered sincerely for Serhiy Rebrov’s protégés, and the match’s ending became the true climax of the football autumn.
Overall, our brave heroes had the opportunity to rest, experience peaceful life, play football, and hear words of gratitude from legends of Ukrainian sports.
UAF Officer, AFVFU President Oleh Sobutsky, due to military duties, could not attend the events in Warsaw but made every effort to ensure everything went at the highest level.
«The cooperation of the UAF, SOF, and AFVFU is successful — our military attended all three matches,» said Oleh Sobutsky. «Thanks to Andriy Shevchenko’s all-around support, everything went surprisingly well. The most important thing is to see the children’s smiles and the military’s gratitude for protecting and preserving the country. Many plans for military rehabilitation and friendly match organization lie ahead. The people who enable Ukraine to continue playing football deserve the highest attention and support.»
