Today, March 26, the Ukrainian national team played a play-off match for the 2026 World Cup against Sweden at the «Ciutat de València» stadium in Spanish Valencia.

Unfortunately, the «blue and yellow» team suffered a defeat and ended their quest for a ticket to the American World Cup. On March 31, the Ukrainian national team will play a friendly match against Albania at the same arena. The game will start at 21:45 Kyiv time.

Photo: Dan Balashov

Play-off for the 2026 World Cup

Ukraine — Sweden — 1:3 (0:1)

Goals: Ponomarenko (90) — Dokeresh (6, 51, 73).

Ukraine: Trubin, Timchik, Zabaryn (c), Bondar, Mykolenko, Kaluzhny (Gutsulak, 60), Yarmoluk (Shaparenko, 85), Sudakov (Ponomarenko, 77), Tsiganov, Zubkov (Ochereyko, 60), Vanat (Yaremchuk, 60).

Sweden: Nordfeldt, Lagerbile, Lindelof (c), Giin (Starfell, 37), Gudmundsson (Svensson, 77), Nygren, Karlstrom, Ajer (Bergvalle, 77), Johansson, Dokeresh, Elanga (Swanberg, 90+4).

Warned: Timchik (56), Trubin (71) — Nordfeldt (75).

Referee: João Peiteira (Portugal).

March 26. Valencia (Spain). «Ciutat de València» stadium.