Shakhtar's Conference League Playoff Journey Begins Against Lech: How to Watch

Shakhtar vs. Lech Match Preview

According to Главком: On March 12, 2026, Shakhtar Donetsk will kick off their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff campaign with an away fixture against Polish side Lech Poznań. The match is scheduled for a 7:45 PM Kyiv time start at Poznań's Municipal Stadium. For fans, the 'Lech - Shakhtar' clash will be broadcast live via the Megogo media service.

Shakhtar enters this European tie in strong form, having secured three consecutive victories in the Ukrainian Premier League since the winter break. Their opponents, Lech, advanced to this playoff round by defeating Finnish club KuPS with a 2:0 home win and a 1:0 away victory. This match represents a significant step for Shakhtar as they aim to progress in European competition.

Ukraine National Team's World Cup Qualifying Path

In related national team news, Ukraine is set to face Sweden in a crucial World Cup qualifying playoff semi-final on March 26, 2026. The Ukrainian squad concluded the initial group stage of European World Cup qualification strongly, with their final match being a 2:0 win over Iceland. The decisive goals in that match were scored by Zubkov in the 83rd minute and Hutsuliak in the third minute of added time.

These upcoming fixtures highlight a pivotal period for Ukrainian football on both the club and international stages. Success for Shakhtar in the Conference League and for the national team in World Cup qualifying would provide a major morale boost and strengthen Ukraine's standing in European football. These matches are critical tests, demonstrating the competitive level Ukrainian teams can achieve against international opposition.