The well-known Ukrainian coach Roman Hryhorchuk responded to the draw for the play-off round of World Cup 2026 qualifying, where the Ukrainian national team will face Sweden.
— Sweden became the opponent for the 'blue and yellows'. Perhaps the worst option among the possible?
— Even before the draw, I said it doesn’t matter whom we are drawn against — we have the potential to beat any of these opponents.
— How can Sergiy Rebrov’s team qualify for the play-off final?
— We are capable of beating Sweden. We have assembled a great team — our players are very skilled. That’s why I am confident that we will overcome Sweden.
— The winner of the Ukraine-Sweden pair will play against the winner of the Poland-Albania pair in the play-off final. Whom do you consider the favorite in that confrontation?
— In the Poland-Albania pair, I also don’t see a clear favorite — these are two teams of a good level, who will decide in a head-to-head match who qualifies for the play-off final.
Oleh Vakhotksyi