34 Years Since Ukraine’s First Match: A Loss to Hungary and the Road to the 2026 World Cup

Ukraine’s National Football Team Marks 34 Years Since Its Debut Official Match

According to Главком: April 29, 2026, marks exactly 34 years since Ukraine’s national football team played its first official match. That game took place in 1992 in Uzhhorod, where Ukraine faced Hungary in a friendly. The Ukrainian side lost 1–3.

The match was held at the Avanhard Stadium in front of 13,000 spectators, who bought tickets for 50 karbovanets each. Viktor Prokopenko served as head coach at the time, supported by a coaching council that included:

• Anatoliy Puzach (Dynamo)
• Yevhen Kucherevskyi (Dnipro)
• Yevhen Lemeshko (Torpedo)
• Yukhym Shkolnykov (Bukovyna)
• Valeriy Yaremchenko (Shakhtar)

A total of 20 players were called up for that match.

Ukraine struck first, but Hungary quickly equalized and then added three goals. The only goal for Ukraine came from Ivan Hetsko in the 90th minute. Hungary’s goals were scored by Sallói (61st minute), and Kiprich (70th and 84th minute, the latter from a penalty). The referee was V. Zhuk from Belarus.

Ukraine also competed in the playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, losing 1–3 to Sweden in the semifinals. In that game, Ukraine’s goal was scored by Ponomarenko in the 90+1st minute, while Sweden’s Viktor Gyökeres netted a hat-trick in the 6th, 51st, and 72nd minutes.

2026 World Cup Participants

The teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed, with the group stage set. The groups are as follows:

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic.
• Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland.
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland.
• Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey.
• Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador.
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia.
• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand.
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay.
• Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway.
• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan.
• Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia.
• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama.

The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16.

This 34-year milestone highlights Ukraine’s long journey in international football, marked by growing experience and ambition. The team’s recent playoff run for the 2026 World Cup and its ongoing pursuit of success continue to captivate fans and build support across the country.

As Ukraine reflects on its football journey over the past 34 years, the possibility of a friendly match against Poland has emerged, raising excitement among fans. This comes alongside recent developments, including the unveiling of a new kit and changes in coaching staff. For more details on this potential matchup and the latest team updates, check out our article on Ukraine's upcoming friendly with Poland.