The Ukrainian national team continues to prepare for two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup — against France (September 5, Wroclaw) and Azerbaijan (September 9, Baku).

Until September 4, the blue-and-yellow will train in Opole, Poland, and then travel to Wroclaw for pre-match activities. Taras Mykhalko, Nazar Voloshyn, and Oleh Ocheretko shared their impressions of being called up to the national team for the first time.

Taras Mykhalko (defender): "Although I have been called up to the national team before, this call is more significant. Back then, we came as a youth squad to train with the senior team, but this call is full-fledged. I found out about it from Dynamo's administrator when the relevant documents arrived. Of course, I am very pleased because this has been my childhood dream. The impressions are only positive since I received many greetings in messages from friends, family, teammates at Dynamo, and former partners.

I already have experience playing for youth national teams. I want to cement a place in the first team, showcase all of my qualities so that they call me up again next time. It helps that my teammate is Nazar Voloshyn. We were together in the youth squad and at our club. Everywhere together — in matches and training sessions. But, I think we will establish contact with everyone since we know each other. Players from Dynamo whom I am well acquainted with will be joining us — Vana, Mykolenko, Zabarnyi.

I would like to score victories in the matches against France and Azerbaijan and earn as many points as possible. Personally, it would be great if I made my debut for the national team if the coaching staff trusts me with a place in the lineup. 

The French national team is out of this world. Very strong players whose names alone represent the highest level — top squad with top footballers."

Photo: Dan Balashov

Nazar Voloshyn (forward): "I was informed about the call-up to the national team by my club administrator, but I did not believe it at first. I only believed when the information appeared on Instagram. When I found out, my father was nearby. He was very pleased. This is the highest point of importance in my career. Every footballer dreams of making it into the national team. So far, I am not too anxious. Calm and hopeful that things will continue this way.

The transition from youth national teams to senior level will be a huge push for me in my career. This is very important for me.

Although France is the strongest opponent in our group, I do not fear them. The most formidable among the French I consider Kylian Mbappé.

I would like to make my debut with this call-up. Ready to play under any number."

Photo: Dan Balashov

Oleh Ocheretko (halfback): "For a week now, I have been called up to the Ukrainian national team, and there has not been a day without someone congratulating me. Every journalist asked: 'How did it go for you?' At first, I was nervous, but now I am calmer. They told me they would call me, but I didn't fully believe until my wife in the car said that I had been called up and then I felt good.

Senior colleagues from Shakhtar have not given me any advice or prepared me yet. They just told me to come. Recently, I suffered an injury and trained separately from the main team for some time, less intensively than with the group, but now everything is fine. 

My task at this camp — help the team show good play and win. So far, I don't have a hundred percent feeling that I am already a national team player. Need to work hard, give it my all. Even now subconsciously, I still don't fully believe that I'm in the bus of the national team. Maybe this feeling will go away after the first training session. 

These are my first camps with the national team, and I think it will be tough against France and Azerbaijan. Want to see what atmosphere is like at such matches. Would love to play against both these opponents. If I could choose a number, I would pick 27 as I do at Shakhtar."

Squad of the Ukrainian National Team

Goalkeepers: Georgii Bushchan («Al-Shabab», Saudi Arabia), Anatolii Trubin («Benfica» Lisbon, Portugal), Dmytro Rytsnyk («Shakhtar» Donetsk).

Defenders: Ilya Zabarnyi («Paris Saint-Germain» Paris, France), Oleksandr Svatosh («Austin», USA), Valeri Bondar, Mykola Matviyenko, Yurim Konoplyan (all — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Taras Mykhalko («Dynamo» Kyiv), Bogdan Mikhaylichenko («Polesye» Zhytomyr), Vitaliy Mykolenko («Everton» Liverpool, England).

Halfbacks: Oleksandr Zinchenko («Nottingham Forest», England), Yegor Yamoluyk («Brentford», England), Ivan Kalyuzhnyi («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Mykola Shaparenko, Nazar Voloshyn (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Oleh Ocheretko, Artem Bondarenko (both — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Oleksiy Hutsulyak, Oleksandr Nazarenko (both — «Polesye» Zhytomyr), Viktor Tsygankov («Girona», Spain), Georgii Sudakov («Benfica» Lisbon, Portugal), Oleksandr Zubkov («Trabzonspor» Trabzon, Turkey).

Forwards: Roman Yaremchuk («Olympiacos» Piraeus, Greece), Artem Dovbyk («Roma» Rome, Italy), Vladyslav Vana («Girona», Spain).

Reserve List

Yevhen Cheberko («Columbus Crew», USA), Oleksandr Pichalonok, Volodymyr Brahytskyi (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv).