As Ukraine's national football team prepared for the decisive 2026 World Cup qualifier, won 2-0 against IcelandSerhiy Rebrov's players and staff learned that the Russians had launched a missile attack on Kiev. At least six Ukrainian citizens were killed in the attack and more than 35 people were injured. Four of the players of the national team, as well as members of the Ukrainian Football Association, live and work in the Ukrainian capital with their families and friends, notes Forbesin an extensive material dedicated to the Ukrainian national team.
For nearly four years, Russia's large-scale invasion has dramatically changed the lives of Ukrainian citizens. To this day, a quarter of Ukraine's total population remains displaced, and thousands of civilians have been killed by the Kremlin's relentless attacks. Russian attacks have destroyed many villages, cities and metropolises, and the reconstruction of the country will cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
The war also turned football and sports in Ukraine upside down
Ukrainian football, like all other aspects of life and society, has been deeply affected by the war, writes journalist Mark Temnycky, in an analysis published by forbes.com.
For example, during the invasion, at least 20 Ukrainian football teams were forced to declare bankruptcy. The clubs that were lucky enough to survive moved to safer areas of the country.
Some footballers, coaches and referees, along with athletes from other disciplines, have abandoned their careers to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine out of a need to defend their country. For athletes who have continued their activity, participating in competitions is seen as a way to present Ukraine in a positive light, despite the conflict.
Sports, such as football, along with other cultural and entertainment events, gave Ukrainians a brief opportunity to shift their attention away from the war in an attempt to give their compatriots a reason to rejoice during a tumultuous time in Ukraine's history. As unofficial ambassadors, athletes do not want to disappoint.
“Soldiers were watching the match from the front line”
The current qualification campaign of Ukraine at the North American World Cup this year is considered by Forbes an example of Ukrainian athletes trying to lift the morale of the nation.
From September to November, the national team played matches against France, Iceland and Azerbaijan. During this period, Ukraine won three of the six matches played and achieved a draw.
Influenced by the results of the group game, the Ukrainians needed to win their last match to reach the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. To secure their place, they had to beat Iceland, in the game played on Sunday evening and decided in the last quarter of an hour.
“The Ukraine v Iceland match was incredibly emotional for the players, staff and everyone back home in Ukraine“, Michael Jaworskyj, a supporter of Ukrainian football, pointed out, quoted by Forbes. “Everyone was in a state of euphoria.”
To increase the pressure, some of the players were distracted by the recent Russian attacks on Kiev. Due to the events leading up to the match against Iceland, the Ukrainian players knew that they had to win not only to qualify for the play-offs, but also to lift the morale of their compatriots.
“The attacks [rusești] on Ukraine is intensifying,” Jaworskyj also said. “But sports are connected to other things that are happening in Ukraine. For example, the soldiers were watching from the front line and wanted to have a reason to be happy.”
Realizing the pressure before this match, Ukraine was super motivated for the duel with Iceland. In the end, Rebrov's national team secured a place in the “barrage” for the World Championship, where they could even beat Romania.
“Many Ukrainians watched the home game,” pointed out Ukrainian sports journalist Andrew Todos. “Everyone is very happy for this performance.”
“Our team it showed the true Ukrainian will to win, exactly what our country needs today“, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha pointed out on his personal X account. “Now, towards [play-off-ul] from March. We believe in you.”
Ukraine's win means the team will play at least one match in March 2026, a play-off semi-final. If the Ukrainians win the semi-final and subsequent final, they will secure their place at the World Championship hosted by the United States. In the geopolitical context, the presence of Ukraine at the final tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico would be an excellent image move.
The Ukrainians are aware that they have a lot of work to do to qualify for next summer's final tournament, but the stakes are huge, far exceeding the sports sphere, author Mark Temnycky points out.
“Ukraine must win the play-off and reach the World Championship to be able to bring to the attention of the international public the story of what is happening in the country. The World Cup attracts over a billion people, so it will be essential for Ukraine to qualify,” Todos said.
The presence of Ukraine in the States, considered elementary
Forbes.com also writes that the attendance at the World Championship of the year would help Ukraine keep global attention on Russia's full-scale invasion. This would remind the international community of the ongoing war, and Ukraine's participation in the world's most important football competition could encourage governments, institutions and individuals to provide additional assistance to Ukrainians.
In other words, presence in the international spotlight will allow Ukraine to continue to educate and inform the world about Russia's continued aggression.
