The Ukrainian youth team (footballers born in 2005 or later) has earned a spot at the World Cup U-20, which will take place this fall in Chile, as well as at the final stage of Euro 2024 (U-19).

On March 17, our team began its first training camp after the European Championship. The head coach of the national team, Dmitry Mykhaylenko, spoke to the official website of the UAF about the plans for this camp, during which the blue and yellow will play two friendlies (on the 22nd against Northern Ireland U-21 and on the 25th against Norway U-20).

"Mr. Dmitry, what will be your goal at this stage of preparation?"

"We are meeting with the team eight months after the European Championship. The squad has an opportunity to play two friendly matches, and one of our opponents, Norway, will also participate in next year's World Cup. And Northern Ireland is a tough opponent as well. So I am confident that these friendlies will be beneficial for us. Additionally, the coaching staff wants to get acquainted with footballers who have never been called up before. We also aim to refresh ties with those we already know."

"Currently, half of the squad has changed compared to the European Championship. What does this say?"

"Indeed, the lineup has changed by about 50%. As I mentioned earlier, we want to get closer acquainted with newcomers who have stable playing time and have significantly improved in recent times. Among them is a group of players whom we wanted to see in the squad before but for various reasons it did not happen. Friendly matches will show their level in the context of national team performances. But this does not mean that the road to the national team is closed for others. Everyone has a chance to make it to the World Cup."

"There's an interesting company gathered in goalkeeping line. How did you find the goalkeeper in Brazil?"

"Indeed, the boys represent quite reputable clubs. As for Maxim Voronov, we have known him for a long time and have positive information about him. The keeper has stable playing time at his club. Among all our goalkeepers, he has played the most matches over the past year and is currently training with the first team of 'Athletico Paranaense'. So it will be interesting to see Maxim in action."

"In Turkey, you'll play against familiar opponents, Norway and Northern Ireland, which will field a U-21 side. What's this about?"

"It's because it's not easy to find sparring partners now. In Europe, only five U-20 teams remain in existence. They are all familiar to us from Euro 2024 (U-19) and will be participants of the upcoming World Cup. I repeat that playing against Norway will be interesting. It is a very strong opponent who has performed well in the last two final rounds of European Championships. And young Northern Ireland invited us to play with them, so we gladly accepted this offer."

Ukraine U-20 Youth Team Roster

Goalkeepers: Ilya Voloshin («Real», Spain), Maxim Voronov («Athletico Paranaense», Brazil), Vladyslav Krapivtsov («Girona», Spain).

Defenders: Anton Drzoz, Mykhailo Ogarkov (both — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Oleksiy Husev («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Vladyslav Zakharchenko («Dynamo» Kyiv), Maxim Melnychenko («Polesia» Zhytomyr), Kyrilo Dityatyr, Daniel Vernattus (both — «Metalist» Kharkiv), Mykhailo Kyrichok («Karpaty» Lviv), Ivan Yermachkov («Victoria» B, Germany).

Midfielders: Roman Saleenko («Dynamo» Kyiv), Ivan Chaban, Artur Shah (both — «Karpaty» Lviv), Danyil Vashchenko («Oleksandria»), Yaroslav Karaman («Polesia» Zhytomyr), Ramik Gadzhiev («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Andriy Matveichuk («Zorya» Luhansk), Dmytro Godya («Veres» Rivne), Bohdan Budko (AZ, Netherlands), Timur Tutyerov («Sunderland», England).

Forwards: Matvii Ponomarenko, Fedir Zadorozhnyi (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv).