Play-off draw for the 2026 World Cup: who can the Ukrainian national team play against

According to glavcom.ua: On November 20, the draw for the play-off qualification for the World Cup will take place. The event is scheduled to start at 14:00 Kyiv time. The Ukrainian national team has entered the first pot for the draw.

Who else qualified for the play-offs of the 2026 World Cup

At this stage, there will be four pots, three of which correspond to the updated FIFA ranking, while the fourth is designated for teams that have gone through the Nations League. In order to secure a place at the World Cup, the Ukrainian national team will need to defeat two opponents.

• First pot: Italy, Turkey, Denmark, Ukraine
• Second pot: Wales, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic
• Third pot: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo
• Fourth pot: Sweden, Romania, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia

What advantages does the first pot provide

In the semi-finals of the play-offs, the team from the fourth pot will become the opponent of the team from the first pot. Teams from the first and second pots are given the advantage of playing at home in the semi-final. The host of the final will be determined by a draw.

Also, in the final, teams from the first pot cannot meet each other, which means Ukraine will not play against Italy, Turkey, and Denmark. If they reach the final, the Ukrainian national team will face a team from the second or third pot.

What awaits the Ukrainian national team

• November 19: FIFA ranking update and pot determination
• November 20: draw for the 2026 World Cup play-offs
• December 5: draw for the final tournament of the 2026 World Cup
• March 26 and 31, 2026: play-off matches

We remind you that Ukraine successfully passed the first stage of the qualification for the World Cup, which will take place next year in three North American countries.

World Cup qualification. Group D

Ukraine - Iceland 2:0 (0:0)

Goals: Zubkov, 83, Hutsulyak, 90+3

As reported, the Ukrainian national team achieved an important victory over Azerbaijan in the qualifying round for the World Cup. The Ukrainian footballers also competed against Iceland, where they proved to be stronger and won.

World Cup qualification. Group D

Iceland - Ukraine 3:5 (1:3)

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

World Cup qualification. Group D

Azerbaijan - Ukraine 1:1 (0:0)

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

In another match, the Ukrainian national team drew with Azerbaijan. Additionally, the team suffered a defeat against France in the qualifying match for the 2026 World Cup.

The Ukrainian national team entered the first pot for the draw of the play-off qualification for the World Cup. Important event dates have already been scheduled, and the team faces significant matches in the battle for participation in the 2026 World Cup.