One of the most challenging years in the history of our homeland is passing. 2022 will forever be a symbol for us of difficult trials, heroism of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and unique unity among millions of Ukrainians around the defense of what is most precious to each of us — freedom and independence.

All of us can take pride in the fact that our football community from the first days of full-scale invasion boldly joined the country's defense. Fans, players, coaches, referees, club leaders and representatives, employees of the UAF and regional associations became active participants in resisting the aggressor's forces alongside soldiers, medics, and volunteers.

Thanks to the bravery of our warriors and unity among Ukrainians around the world, we managed to preserve Ukraine. And we also managed to preserve beloved football in undefeated Ukraine. Football itself became another important tool for mobilizing efforts to defend our country.

That is why the international football community at UEFA and FIFA levels responded promptly to UAF's appeals by adopting decisions on full isolation of teams from the aggressor state. At UEFA, with active participation of FIFA, a Coordination Center for Organizing Support for Ukraine was established: humanitarian aid, assistance in evacuation from conflict zones and accommodation of young players across European countries, help organizing matches of our national teams that were deprived of the opportunity to train or host home games in their homeland.

We joined your platform United24 together with footballers and coaches of the national teams whose main goal is resource mobilization for restoring our country. The Coordination Center of UAF, which was established on the first day of full-scale invasion and has been closely interacting with humanitarian hubs based at regional associations throughout this time, continues to provide material and organizational support to families with children, football veterans, medics, wounded soldiers, and frontline defenders.

One of the key achievements of our community in the year that is passing is the revival of football life under war conditions — the start of a special championship-2022/2023 season which took place with the support of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky. What seemed impossible back in spring 2022, today has become a successful result that inspires not only our friendly team but also the entire football world. We jointly organized the first part of matches among clubs of UPL and teams of UPL U-19, first and second leagues of PFL, top and first league among women's professional clubs, championship among amateurs and DYuFLU Cup, and will continue them in 2023.

It is natural that the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian football community, which continues to develop football even under full-scale war conditions, impresses the whole world. Therefore, 2022 became a year of historic decision for the Ukrainian Football Association, supported by UEFA — submitting a joint bid with Spain and Portugal for hosting the final stage of the World Cup-2030. The project of a united application of three countries symbolizes unity across all of Europe, from Kyiv to Lisbon, and can become a bright football finale in Ukraine's attainment of full-fledged EU membership, which we hope will happen in the coming years.

Despite all war-related obstacles, our national teams continued successful performances on the international arena in 2022. We are proud of our youth team led by Ruslan Rotan that qualified for the final stage of Euro-2023. We sincerely rejoice at the successes of junior national teams U-17 and U-19 who made it to the elite round of selection for Euro-2023. We are proud of the women's futsal team that won bronze medals in the European Championship for the first time in history. Positive emotions were brought by other teams as well. In particular, the national futsal team finished the year among top four strongest teams in Europe, student futsal team became silver medalists at Euro-2022, while men's and women's beach soccer national teams won tickets to European Games 2023 and World Beach Games 2023.

The football community is grateful for the bright performances in 2022 and active social activities supporting Ukraine by the national men's team preparing for March start of Euro-2024 qualification, as well as the national women's team that will participate in the first edition of UEFA Nations League among women's teams in 2023.

We congratulate Kateryna Monzul with a successful professional year and entering for the third time into the list of best referees in the world, as well as recording an arbitration at the final match of Euro-2022 women's tournament in London together with colleague Mariya Striletska.

Friends, 2022 was a year full of deep experiences for all of us. Full-scale war against the aggressor touched every citizen of our country. But we stood united and devoted to Ukraine, thanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine that are bringing us closer to our common victory day by day and whom we owe all victories of our state in the passing year!

Sincerely thank you to our warriors, Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky's team, all fans, players, coaches, club leaders, UPL, PFL, regional associations, all collective members of UAF and the Ukrainian Football Association team for your unbreakable spirit and fruitful cooperation throughout 2022!

May 2023 be a year of triumph for free Ukraine and our brave warriors!

Peace and prosperity to you and our dear homeland!

Happy New Year!

Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!

Glory to heroes!

Glory to Ukraine!   

With best wishes,

President of the Ukrainian Football Association, UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelko