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

Serhiy Rebrov's squad has already held its first training session in the Polish town of Opole. Some players were working on recovery programs while others participated in game drills. Georgiy Sudakov and Vladyslav Vanat, two members of the blue-and-yellow team, shared their impressions about preparing for matches against France and Azerbaijan.

Georgiy Sudakov (defender): "I still don't fully understand that I've joined the national team as a foreign player. Honestly, I haven't really thought much about it. I became a Benfica player very quickly. When I was in Lisbon for two or three days signing my contract, I didn’t quite believe it. Even after training and meeting the team at the base, there was still this feeling that everything was like a dream.

The first time Portuguese media wrote about my potential transfer happened around a week and a half ago. But over the past couple of years, many teams have shown interest in me, so I didn't pay much attention to it. It was only recently that my agent called me on August 24th late at night, shortly before the match against Sérivet, telling me that Benfica had a serious interest and possibly from Geneva you would be flying straight to Lisbon.

The hardest part was waiting. Those four or five days when you don't know if it will happen or not. The transfer window is closing, and while the clubs seem to have agreed on something, I didn’t know anything about it, no personal terms were discussed with me. The situation was building up. So first of all, I focused on my game against Sérivet. It was an important match. Thankfully, Shakhtar won and advanced to the Conference League group stage. And then late at night, I agreed on terms with Benfica.

Has my level of motivation and enthusiasm grown after the transfer? That's hard to say, but it feels like starting over again from scratch. Like beginning anew with a clean slate. In Shakhtar, you've already gone through a certain stage, while here you have to start all over again. Benfica represents a big step forward for me. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and understand how exciting it is to start the process with a new team, new teammates, coaches, learning new football moments.

I didn't receive any special tips from Anatoliy Trubin. We were in constant contact; he sent me contacts for a girl who could help me learn Portuguese. I'll try to study the language two or three times a week — just basic things. This will make communication easier within the team, although almost everyone speaks English. But still, it's good to reach a new level of knowledge and communicate with the coach, teammates — even in everyday life — in Portuguese.

The infrastructure at Benfica is simply incredible. I've been to the stadium and the training base. Everything is there for you to develop and play. Lisbon is a beautiful city. The weather, tasty food, lots of Ukrainians. Once we settle all personal matters in a few months, it will be psychologically easier. Right now, I'm worried about my family's move, plus my pregnant wife and young child. Thoughts about apartments, cars, how to transport belongings... When this is all settled, things will be much easier. 

What does the national team gain from this? Another foreign player. I've always said that we have talented footballers in Ukraine. I saw Vanat's interview where he mentioned that currently the level of Ukrainian championship is low. But, generally speaking, it's very difficult to play every match. Whether against «Epizentru», «Veres» or «Dynamo». Every game in the first division is tough, especially when you're playing for Shakhtar. All teams come out against you as if it's their last match. But perhaps there isn't enough intensity of play, quality of fields. European cups are a completely different level. And for the national team, more players competing at the highest level in the Champions League is positive. I and Zabarny, who moved to «PSG», will be playing in the Champions League. Anatoliy Trubin with me. Plus those players who play in England and Italy. Mykolenko and Yarmoluk in the Premier League are like Champions League matches every game. I think the national team benefits from this.»

Photo: Dan Balashov

Vladyslav Vanat (forward): "The option with «Girona» appeared after a call from my agent. He called and said there was an opportunity to join this club. At first, I didn't believe it, but as the topic developed further, I realized that it might be possible. I still can’t believe that I’m no longer a Dynamo player, but now a Girona player. It feels like after the national team training, I should go back to Kiev. But I don’t have to anymore. And it's both sad and joyful at the same time.

In the coaching staff of the national team, they told me that for the first time they saw me smiling. Although I did smile before, quite a bit. Maybe they didn't see it. But now Rebrov said he did.

My mood and motivation? Even today at training — you work and think that you're already a European club player. A slightly different approach to yourself on the field. I feel my confidence in myself has grown. 

A few days ago, we messaged with Viktor Tsygankov, and he gave me positive feedback. He sent me a photo from the locker room. In Girona, every locker has the player's name written on it. Tsygankov sent me a picture of his name next to an empty spot beside him. It says: «Come on, your initials will be here soon».

The French national team is a strong squad. Probably the strongest in terms of player selection worldwide. But we have to come out and play against them. Win because that's what we work for — matches like these. This training camp will be successful if we win both games. Then it'll be easier at the next one.»

Ukraine National Team Squad

Goalkeepers: Georgiy Bushchan («Al-Shabab», Saudi Arabia), Anatoliy Trubin («Benfica» Lisbon, Portugal), Dmytro Ryznyk («Shakhtar» Donetsk).

Defenders: Ilya Zabarnyi («Paris Saint-Germain», Paris, France), Oleksandr Svytok («Austin FC», USA), Valeri Bondar, Mykola Matviyenko, Yurym Konoplyanka (all — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Taras Mikhalko, Vladyslav Dubynchak (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Bogdan Mykhaylichenko («Polesye» Zhytomyr).

Midfielders: Oleksandr Zinchenko («Nottingham Forest», England), Yegor Yarmoluk («Brentford», England), Ivan Kalyuzhnyy («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Mykola Shaparenko, Nazar Volosin (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Oleksiy Ocheretynko, Artem Bondarenko (both — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Oleksii Hutsulyak, Oleksandr Nazarenko (both — «Polesye» Zhytomyr), Viktor Tsygankov («Girona», Spain), Georgiy Sudakov («Benfica» Lisbon, Portugal), Oleksandr Zubkov («Trabzonspor» Trabzon, Turkey).

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

Reserve List

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