On Thursday, November 20, at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the draw for the play-off stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers took place with the participation of the Ukrainian national team. Based on the results of European qualifying and the Nations League 16 play-off participants were determined. Teams were divided into four pots with Ukraine placed in Pot 1.
As a result of the draw the Blue and Yellows were placed on Path B where they will host Sweden in the semi-final on March 26. If Ukraine succeeds in this match the team will play in the final on March 31 for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup against the winner of Poland vs Albania.
In total four winners of the European play-offs will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Another two spots will be contested by six teams in the intercontinental play-off. The remaining 42 participants of the final tournament are already known.
Four Dynamo Kyiv players took part in Ukraine’s qualifying matches:
Nazar Voloshyn – 5 matches
Mykola Shaparenko – 5 matches
Oleksandr Karavaiev – 1 match
Taras Mykhavko – 1 match
Notably, for defender Taras Mykhavko who started in the qualifying match against France this appearance marked his debut for the Ukrainian national team.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first in history to feature 48 teams in the final stage (recall that from 1998 to 2022 the tournament used a 32-team format).
The tournament will consist of 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group along with the eight best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 32.
The matches of the 23rd World Cup final stage will be held in 16 cities across Canada, USA and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
The opening match of the World Cup will take place on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City and the final will be held on July 19 in New York.
