Play-off draw for the World Cup 2026: when and how Ukraine will find out its opponent

Draw for the World Cup qualifying play-off

According to glavcom.ua: Very soon, on November 20, the draw for the World Cup qualifying play-off will take place in Zurich. The ceremony will begin at 14:00 Kyiv time. After the November international window, it will be known who will play in the World Cup - a total of 42 teams. Another 6 teams will be determined later, in March 2026. The intercontinental play-off will include two finals, while the European play-off will feature 12 teams that finish second in their groups and 4 best group winners from the UEFA Nations League. The FIFA ranking, which will be used for the draw, will be published on November 19.

Currently, it is known that 28 teams have already secured a place in the World Cup, and another 14, including the Ukrainian national team, will also head to WC-2026. The Ukrainian national football team won important matches against Azerbaijan and Iceland in the World Cup qualifiers, with goals scored by Malinovsky, Hutsulyak, Kaliuzhny, and Ocheretko.

World Cup qualifying results. Group D

Iceland - Ukraine 3:5 (1:3)

Goals: Ellertsson, 35, Gudmundsson, 59, 75 - Malinovsky, 14, 45+5, Hutsulyak, 45, Kaliuzhny, 85, Ocheretko, 89

Azerbaijan - Ukraine 1:1 (0:0)

Goals: Mahmudov (72, pen.) - Sudakov (51)

In the previous qualifying match against France, the Ukrainian team lost 0:2. Fans supported their team with a banner 'Fortress of Europe'.

Although qualifying matches are still ongoing, Ukraine is already demonstrating good play and is trying to qualify for the World Cup.