“There are strong players there.” Shevchenko – about the chances of the Ukrainian national team against Sweden

President of the Ukrainian Football Association (UAF) Andriy Shevchenko shared his opinion on the results of the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualification playoffs.

“Blue and Yellow” will play in the semi-finals against Sweden, the winner of this confrontation will meet the strongest in the pair Poland – Albania in the fight for a ticket to the World Cup.

“The national team of Ukraine can and should be at the 2026 World Cup. Sweden is a strong opponent, but so are we. Sweden has always shown great football with very strong players.

Is it important to get to the World Cup, especially with what we’re going through? Yes, of course. We have two goals: the sports side is to compete with the strongest teams and to play for the fans who are suffering because of the war. We will fight for it,” Shevchenko concluded.

Ukraine will hold a semi-final match on March 26 at a conventional home stadium. In case of victory, Serhiy Rebrov’s wards will play for a ticket to the World Cup against the winner of the Poland-Albania pair.

The final match of the “blue-yellows” will take place on March 31, also at the conventional home stadium, if the team defeats Sweden.