Friendly matches against Slovakia and Romania on October 25th and 28th, respectively, mark the start of Ukraine's women’s national team preparation for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers, which will begin in February next year.

Vladimir Pyatenko, head coach of Ukraine's women's national team, commented on the latest developments with the main squad via the official website of the Ukrainian Football Association:

"On October 18th in Trnava, we will begin a week-long training camp before our friendly match against Slovakia in Senec, which is about 25 kilometers from Bratislava. We will only gather in full strength at the beginning of next week when the overseas players join us. One day after the match with Slovakia, we will relocate to Bucharest for another friendly game against Romania."

"What can you say about these opponents?"

"These teams are progressing and play confidently while allowing their rivals to do the same. They try to cherish possession of the ball and pose a threat in transition phases. It will be interesting to observe them on the training ground. I am convinced that these encounters will be beneficial and informative."

"In the announced list of Ukrainian players for these October friendlies, there is no entire group of leading players. Is this to look at the nearest reserve?"

"No, due to various reasons, I cannot rely on 11 players from the main squad... The whole team. It's unfortunate that literally in the last moment, Elizaveta Molyduk and Viktoriya Hryin ended up in the infirmary."

"If we talk about injuries, how serious are they?"

"Each of them has their own story. For example, Tymila Khimich is recovering from a reconstruction of the cruciate ligament in her knee. By the way, I wish the girls to return as soon as possible."

"For the first time, goalkeeper Alina Savka from Vorzel and Svitlana Kogut (Kolos) have been called up to the national team. Why did you pay attention to these players?"

"They stand out in their clubs, strive for non-standard play, are always motivated, and deserve a chance to showcase themselves at the national level."

"How is the game experience of your wards?"

"There's no reason to complain. They have already played enough calendar matches in their respective leagues, and representatives of our leading teams were involved in European cup battles as well. Therefore, there should be no problem with match fitness."

"Are the friendly games against Slovakia and Romania all that is planned for this year's friendlies?"

"No, we plan to conduct two more friendly matches at the end of November. The opponents are still being finalized but efforts are being made to ensure they are prominent European national teams."

Squad for Ukraine's Women’s National Team

Goalkeepers: Kateryna Samson («Vorzel» Poltava), Daria Kelyushyk («Kolos» Kovalevka), Kateryna Boklach («Nantes», France).

Defenders: Solomiya Kupiak («Kolos» Kovalevka), Kateryna Korsun, Alina Savka, Iryna Kotyash, Marina Shainyuk (all — «Vorzel» Poltava), Yana Kotyk, Olha Basanska (both — «Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Lyubov Shmatko («Fomget», Turkey).

Midfielders: Dayana Semkiv, Svitlana Kogut (both — «Kolos» Kovalevka), Natiya Pansulaia («Sisters» Odesa), Anna Petrik, Nadia Kunina, Lidiya Zaborovets (all — «Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Viktoriya Radionova («Vorzel» Poltava), Nicole Kozlova («Glasgow City», Scotland), Yana Malakhova («Mur», Slovenia).

Forwards: Roksolana Kravchuk («Vorzel» Poltava), Olha Ovdychuk («Fomget», Turkey), Inna Hlushchenko («Lille», France).

The match between Slovakia and Ukraine will take place on October 25th in Senec at the eponymous stadium (kick-off at 6 PM Kyiv time). The game between Romania and Ukraine is scheduled for October 28th in Bucharest at the «Concordia K'iyzna» Stadium (kick-off at 5:30 PM Kyiv time).