Ukraine U-17s Wrap Up Tournament Campaign in Croatia
Ukraine's Under-17 national team concluded its participation in a Croatian tournament by playing to a 0-0 draw with the host nation on February 16, 2026, in Poreč. This final match brought Ukraine's campaign to a close, with the team finishing the competition having earned 4 points from its three matches. The tournament serves as a key preparatory step for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers.
Ukraine U-17s opened the tournament with a 3-1 victory over Greece but later suffered a heavy 0-5 defeat to Israel. These mixed results highlight areas for improvement as the squad gears up for the second round of qualification for the 2026 European Under-17 Championship. In that qualifying phase, Ukraine has been drawn into Group 6 of League B, where it will face Latvia and Albania. The group stage matches are scheduled to take place in Albania from June 3 to June 9, 2026.
Senior National Team's World Cup Qualifying Success
In a parallel development, Ukraine's senior national team secured a significant 2-0 victory over Iceland in Warsaw during its own World Cup qualifying campaign. Zubkov scored in the 83rd minute, with Hutsuliak adding a second in the third minute of stoppage time. Ukraine will now face Sweden in the playoff semi-final on March 26, 2026. A win would see the team advance to a final against the winner of the Poland vs. Albania match, with a place at the next World Cup in three North American nations on the line.
The conclusion of the U-17s' Croatian tournament underscores the importance of this preparatory phase for the upcoming Euro 2026 qualifiers, where the young squad will aim to improve its performances. Meanwhile, the senior team's success in World Cup qualifying points to the growing strength of Ukrainian football on the global stage. Both outcomes represent crucial steps in developing young talent and building a stronger national program for future competitions.