The Ukrainian national team has learned its potential opponents in the play-off qualification for the World Cup. Our team is in the first pot for the draw, which will take place on November 20.
Who else has reached the play-off
The play-off will involve teams from four pots: the first and second pots, which are based on FIFA rankings, and the third and fourth pots for teams through the Nations League. Our national team must go through two stages to qualify for WC-2026.
- First pot: Italy, Turkey, Denmark, Ukraine
- Second pot: Wales, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic
- Third pot: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo
- Fourth pot: Sweden, Romania, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia
Advantages of the first pot
A team from the first or second pot will have the advantage of home ground in the semi-final. In the final, teams from the first pot cannot play against each other, which means Ukraine will not face Italy, Turkey or Denmark until the final. If our team performs well in the play-off, they will play against a team from the second or third pot.
What awaits Ukraine
- November 18: completion of the group stage and formation of the play-off lineup
- November 19: update of FIFA rankings and determination of pots
- November 20: draw for the WC-2026 play-off
- December 5: draw for the final tournament of the WC-2026
- March 26 and 31, 2026: play-off matches
The Ukrainian national team successfully completed the qualification for the World Cup-2026, defeating Iceland in the last decisive match. Now the team faces new challenges in the play-off, but the Ukrainian footballers are ready to fight for the right to participate in the main world tournament.