Today, November 12th, ahead of the World Cup 2026 qualifier match against France in Paris, head coach of the Ukraine national team Serhiy Rebrov held a press conference.

— Mr. Serhiy, after the previous two matches, you mentioned that the squad was not at its optimal strength, lacking four or five key players. Is the current lineup more combat-ready?

— We always have injured players. I believe this is a problem for all teams. Currently, there are fewer injuries compared to before the last two matches. It's important that those who join the squad do everything necessary. You saw, for example, Voloshin arrived and played very well against Iceland. I am satisfied with the players joining the team. They give their all on the field for our country. 

— Many key players of the national team are under threat of suspension due to yellow card accumulation. Are you considering rotation to preserve these players for a more crucial match against Iceland?

— I don't differentiate between these matches. The game against France is no less important. This game here in Paris is significant, just like every other national team match. We understand that now are decisive games. It's necessary to prepare very well and play.

The first match against France we played in Poland was quite interesting. We created opportunities and had chances in the second half, could have equalized. We analyzed that game and tomorrow we will aim for points. 

— And still — how do you plan to distribute your resources since results are needed both tomorrow and later against Iceland?

— You'll see everything tomorrow yourself, I won't say beforehand. We prepare and have a game plan for France but it doesn't make sense to talk about that now. Let me emphasize: both games are important for us. I'm confident the players who will appear on the field tomorrow will give their maximum and strive to take points from the French. 

We need to respect our opponent but be focused on our game. Think about what can help us play successfully against such a strong team. 

— How satisfied are you with the current lineup in percentage terms?

— I am always satisfied with the players, and those who joined played at a high level. Unfortunately, we only had one training session. One group recovered while another trained. But I see the boys' desire, their level. We called up enough players for these two matches who can and should solve tasks. 

— Against France, no miracles are expected from the national team, so there won't be any psychological pressure...

— I don't remember a national team coach who hasn't been criticized. This is always the case and you can't escape it. Every fan and journalist has their own perspective. But I am focused on my work. I understand what we need to do to play well and try to achieve results. I'm sure the players feel the same way. Don't focus on either positive or negative feedback. It's important to concentrate on your work and seriously prepare for the match. 

— Considering the tight preparation — one training session followed immediately by a game — could this affect the team?

— This doesn't affect the team. If there were another day, it would be an additional day not just for us but also for our opponent. We use this time more for recovery. Everyone understands that logistics for Ukrainian footballers are difficult — first by train, then by plane. It's very tough, and so we can't conduct a full training process. Our main focus is on tactics and recovery. Yes, at this camp we have one day less for preparation, but we're ready for it.

Reminder: The World Cup 2026 qualifier match France — Ukraine will take place in Paris on November 13 (kickoff at 8:45 PM Kyiv time).