The Ukrainian national team continues to prepare for two qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup — against France (September 5, Wroclaw) and Azerbaijan (September 9, Baku).

Until September 4, the blue-and-yellow will train in Opole, Poland, and then move to Wroclaw for pre-match activities. Taras Mykhalko, Nazar Voloshyn, and Oleh Ocheretyko shared their impressions of being called up to the national team for the first time.

Taras Mykhalko (defender): "Although I have been called up to the national team before, this call is more significant. Last time we came as a youth squad to train with the senior team, but this call is full-fledged. I found out about it from Dynamo's administrator when the relevant documents arrived. Of course, I am very pleased because this has been my childhood dream. The impressions are only positive since I received many greetings in messages from friends, family, teammates at Dynamo and former partners.

I already have experience playing for youth national teams. I want to cement myself in the first team, showcase all of my qualities so that they call me up again next time. It helps that my teammate is Nazar Voloshyn. We were together in the youth squad and at our club. Everywhere together — in matches and training sessions. But, I think we will establish contact with everyone since we know them all. Players from Dynamo whom I am well acquainted with will be joining us — Vanat, Mykolenko, Zabarnyi.

I would like to score points in the matches against France and Azerbaijan and earn as many points as possible. Personally, it would be great if I made my debut in the national team if the coaching staff trusts me with a place in the lineup. 

The French national team for me is like outer space. Very strong players whose names alone are at the highest level. Of course, a top squad with top footballers."

Photo: Dan Balashov

Nazar Voloshyn (forward): "I found out about the call-up to the national team from my club's administrator, but I did not believe it at first. I only believed when the information appeared on Instagram. When I learned about it, my father was nearby. He was very pleased. This is the highest point in importance for me in my career. Every footballer dreams of making it into the national team. So far, I am not too worried. Calm and hopeful that this will continue.

The transition from youth national teams to senior level will be a big push in my career. It is very important for me.

Although France is the strongest opponent in our group, I do not fear them. The most formidable among the French I consider Kylian Mbappé.

I would like to make my debut during this call-up. Ready to play under any number."

Photo: Dan Balashov

Oleh Ocheretyko (halfback): "A week ago, I received a call-up to the Ukrainian national team, and there hasn't been a day without someone congratulating me. Every journalist asked: 'How did you feel about it?' At first, I was nervous, but now I am calmer. They told me they would call me up, but I didn't believe it until the end. When even my wife in the car said that I had been called up, it felt good.

My older colleagues from Shakhtar haven't given me any advice and haven't tried to intimidate me. They just told me to come. Recently, I suffered an injury and trained separately from the main team for a while, not as intensively as with the group, but now everything is fine. 

My task during this camp is to help the team show good play and win. So far, I don't have a hundred percent feeling that I am already a national team player. Need to work hard and give my all. Even now subconsciously, I still don't fully believe that I'm in the bus of the national team. Maybe after the first training session, this feeling will pass. 

These are my first camps with the national team, and I think it will be tough against France and Azerbaijan. Would like to see what atmosphere is at such matches. Wanted to play against both these opponents. If I could choose a number, I would pick 27, as in Shakhtar."

Squad of the Ukrainian National Team

Goalkeepers: Georgiy Bushchan («Al-Shabab», Saudi Arabia), Anatoliy Trubin («Benfica» Lisbon, Portugal), Dmytro Ryndzak («Shakhtar» Donetsk).

Defenders: Ilya Zabarnyi («Paris Saint-Germain» Paris, France), Oleksandr Svatok («Austin», USA), Valeri Bondar, Mykola Matviyenko, Yurym Konoplyan (all — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Taras Mykhalko («Dynamo» Kyiv), Bogdan Mikhaylichenko («Polesye» Zhytomyr), Vitaliy Mykolenko («Everton» Liverpool, England).

Halfbacks: Oleksandr Zinchenko («Nottingham Forest», England), Yegor Yarmoluk («Brentford», England), Ivan Kaluzhnyi («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Mykola Shaparenko, Nazar Voloshyn (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Oleh Ocheretyko, Artem Bondarenko (both — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Oleksiy Hutsulyak, Oleksandr Nazarenko (both — «Polesye» Zhytomyr), Viktor Tsygankov («Girona», Spain), Georgiy Sudakov («Benfica» Lisbon, Portugal), Oleksandr Zubkov («Trabzonspor» Trabzon, Turkey).

Forwards: Roman Yaremchuk («Olympiacos» Piraeus, Greece), Artem Dovbyk («Roma» Rome, Italy), Vladyslav Vanat («Girona», Spain).

Reserve List

Yevhen Cheberko («Columbus Crew», USA), Oleksandr Pichalenko, Volodymyr Brahytskyi (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv).