Ukraine U16 Roster for UEFA Development Tournament
Volodymyr Samborskyi, the head coach of Ukraine’s under-16 national football team, has revealed the squad set to compete in the UEFA Development Tournament in Poland. The lineup features goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards drawn from clubs both inside Ukraine and across Europe.
The goalkeepers called up for the Ukraine U16 side are:
- Matviy Mikula (Braga, Portugal)
- David Kravets (Real Madrid, Spain)
Defenders:
- Maksym Misyura
- Nazar Usachov
- Yehor Falkovskyi (all from Shakhtar Donetsk)
- Kostiantyn Kyslyanka
- Timur Uhrik
- Mykola Karalash (all from Rukh Lviv)
- Mykhailo Abramovych (Gorica, Croatia)
- Hlib Rybalchenko (Gent, Belgium)
Midfielders:
- Illia Byrladianu
- Oleksii Abramov (Shakhtar Donetsk)
- Denys Hordieiev
- Oleh Dzyurynets
- Artem Fedushko
- Illia Ostrovskyi (Rukh Lviv)
- Myroslav Donyk (LNZ Cherkasy)
- Artem Rybak (Barcelona, Spain)
- Bohdan Rudenko (Śląsk Wrocław, Poland)
- Daniele Robustella (Parma, Italy)
Forwards:
- Illia Bodak (Rukh Lviv)
- Damir Honchenko (Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium)
Ukraine U16 Match Schedule
The fixture list for Ukraine’s youth squad at the tournament is as follows:
- May 8, 2026 – vs Ecuador at 3:00 PM
- May 10, 2026 – vs Poland at 12:00 PM
- May 13, 2026 – vs Norway at 12:00 PM
Separately, Matchday 26 of the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) featured a clash between Dynamo and Shakhtar. Fans from both sides showed support for Volodymyr Yakovenko by displaying banners reading 'Freedom to the Order' in Ukrainian and English. Shakhtar ultras also set off pyrotechnics during the solidarity action. Shakhtar came from behind to win the match. In the 13th minute, Ponomarenko opened the scoring by netting past Riznyk. Early in the second half, Obakh crossed to Traoré, who laid it off for Ferreira to strike. Then, in the 68th minute, Traoré scored from a rebound, sealing Shakhtar’s advantage.
The UEFA Development Tournament for Ukraine’s U16 squad could serve as a crucial stepping stone for young talents representing the nation internationally. The inclusion of players from top European clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona highlights the high caliber of the roster and the team’s potential. Strong performances at this event may open new career pathways for the athletes and further elevate Ukrainian football.
It is also worth noting that fan support in UPL matches underscores the unity of supporters during challenging times for the country. This shows that football remains a vital part of social life in Ukraine, building community and offering emotional strength. The significance of such actions goes beyond sport, reflecting the broader social context in which these events take place.
As the excitement builds around the upcoming UEFA Development Tournament, it's important to note the unity displayed in Ukrainian football recently. In a significant show of support, fans of both Dynamo and Shakhtar rallied under the banner of freedom for their team, highlighting the passionate spirit of the sport within the country. Such camaraderie among fans sets a positive tone as the youth squad prepares for their matches ahead.