UAF President Andriy Shevchenko commented on the draw results of the playoff round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament, which placed Sweden as Ukraine’s opponent in the semifinals. If they advance to the finals, the 'blue and yellows' will play against the winner of the Poland vs. Albania pair.
Andriy Shevchenko«Firstly, all the teams that made it to the playoffs are very strong. We drew one of the toughest opponents. The level of the Swedish national team’s players is very high, so serious preparation awaits us. We are hosting the first match at home and, if we make it to the finals, we will also have a home match. Therefore, we need to correctly choose the country and stadium where we will hold these games.
The main thing is that our players have shown very good form and the right attitude in recent matches. And with such an attitude, if we prepare well, we have a good chance to fight for a spot in the World Cup.
Potentially in the finals, we might face the winner of the Poland vs. Albania pair. This is also one of the toughest possible options. The draw certainly didn’t make our path easier, so we must accept the situation as it is.
Again, we must raise our level and prepare responsibly for these serious matches if we want to secure a spot in the tournament’s final stage,» Shevchenko noted.
