EURO 2026 (U-17): Ukraine discovers Round 1 opponents
On Thursday, December 5, the draw of the EURO 2026 U-17 Round 1 took place in Nyon, Switzerland.
A total of 54 teams were divided into 12 groups of four teams each and two groups of three teams. The host nation of the final tournament, Estonia, will also participate in the qualification process.
As a result of Round 1, 14 group winners and 14 second-place teams will progress to Round 2 in League A. The remaining 26 teams will participate in Round 2 in League B.
The teams that reach Round 2 in League A will compete in the spring of 2026 for seven spots in the final tournament of EURO 2026 (U-17). Estonia, as the host, has automatically secured a place. It is also important to note that Round 2 in League A will serve as a qualification round for the FIFA World Cup 2026 U-17 in Qatar.
Furthermore, teams from both leagues in Round 2 of qualifying will compete for promotion and relegation between leagues ahead of Round 1 for EURO 2028 U-19.
The Ukraine U-17 team (currently U-16, players born in 2009) was placed in Pot B for the draw, based on the UEFA ranking for this age group.
As a result of the draw, the Blue and Yellows were placed in Group 1, where they will face Italy, Montenegro, and Estonia.
EURO 2026 U-17. Round 1 Draw Results
Group 1: Italy, Ukraine, Montenegro, Estonia
Group 2: Czechia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Gibraltar
Group 3: England, Sweden, Lithuania, Scotland
Group 4: Spain, Denmark, Latvia, Andorra
Group 5: Belgium, Norway, Belarus, Moldova
Group 6: Austria, Ireland, Kosovo, Faroe Islands
Group 7: Serbia, Turkiye, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Malta
Group 8: Croatia, Netherlands, Albania, Kazakhstan
Group 9: France, Israel, Romania, Azerbaijan
Group 10: Switzerland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, San Marino
Group 11: Northern Ireland, Finland, Cyprus, Armenia
Group 12: Portugal, Slovenia, Wales, Liechtenstein
Group 13: Poland, Germany, Luxembourg
Group 14: Greece, Iceland, Georgia
The hosts of the mini-tournaments in each group will be determined after the draw. Matches will take place from July 1 to November 18, 2025.
Yuriy Moroz: "Italy stands out, but we're not giving up on first place"
On Thursday, December 5, the draw for the UEFA EURO 2026 (U-17) Round...
Yuriy Moroz: "The experience in Spain will be a valuable lesson for our young players"
Yuriy Moroz, the head coach of Ukraine's U-16 team (players born in 20...
U-16: Ukraine concludes tournament in Spain with defeat to Israel
The Ukraine U-16 team (players born in 2009 or later) has concluded it...
U-16: Ukraine falls to France in Spain
The Ukraine U-16 team (players born in 2009 or later) continues their...