Andriy Shevchenko, UAF November 20, 2025, 10:45 p.m

UAF President Andriy Shevchenko assessed the draw for the 2026 World Cup selection playoffs, based on the results of which the “blue and yellow” will play against Sweden.

“First of all, all the teams that made it to the playoffs are very strong. We lost one of the most powerful opponents. The level of the players of the Swedish national team is very high, so serious preparation awaits us. We are playing the first match at home and in case we reach the finals, we will also have a home match. So we need to correctly determine the country and the stadium where we will hold these meetings.

The main thing is that our football players showed very good form and the right mood in the last matches. And with such a mood, if we prepare well, we have a good chance of winning a ticket to the World Championship.

Potentially, we can play the winner of the Poland-Albania match in the final. It is also one of the most difficult options possible. The draw definitely didn’t make it easier for us, so we have to accept the situation as it is.

Once again: we must raise our level and prepare responsibly for these serious matches if we want to get a ticket to the final part of the tournament,” the UAF press service quotes Shevchenko as saying.

Earlier it was reported that Shevchenko offered Argentina a charity match in support of Ukraine.