"Ukraine enter their opener under pressure, knowing that anything less than a win could severely damage their chances of topping the group. Automatic qualification has long eluded them, and their poor record in playoffs - losing three of the last four - underlines just how crucial a strong start is. Despite consistent appearances at the Euros, including Euro 2024, Ukraine remain one-time World Cup participants, famously reaching the quarter-finals in 2006."
"Since then, inconsistency has plagued Sergiy Rebrov's side, who stumbled in the Nations League and then lost a playoff to Belgium despite holding a 3-1 advantage from the first leg. June's North American tour further underlined their unpredictability: a 4-2 loss to Canada followed by a narrow 2-1 win over New Zealand. Nevertheless, milestones beckon for Illia Zabarnyi and Vitaliy Mykolenko, both set to reach 50 caps this month."
"Key absences include Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, leaving Anatoliy Trubin to start between the posts, while Oleksandr Tymchyk also misses out. Benfica's new signing Georgiy Sudakov will be tested against elite opposition, while striker Artem Dovbyk seeks redemption after being sidelined at Roma. This qualifying campaign marks the beginning of the end for Didier Deschamps, who has confirmed he will step down as France boss after the World Cup finals in North America next summer."
Ukraine face France in Wroclaw on Friday as both open bids for a place at the 2026 World Cup. France were drawn into a smaller four-team qualifying section after contesting the UEFA Nations League finals, compressing the outcome into a three-month window. Ukraine need a win to protect group-top hopes amid a poor playoff record and historical World Cup scarcity, despite regular Euro appearances and a 2006 quarter-final. Recent form has been inconsistent: Nations League struggles, a playoff loss to Belgium after a strong first leg, and mixed results on a North American tour. Lunin and Tymchyk are absent; Trubin, Sudakov and Dovbyk feature in team news. Deschamps will step down after the 2026 World Cup finals.
Read at Soccer News
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