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

Serhiy Rebrov's squad has already held its first training session in Polish Opole. Part of the players were engaged in recovery programs, while others participated in game drills. Players Georgiy Sudakov and Vladyslav Vanat shared their impressions about preparing for matches against France and Azerbaijan.

Georgiy Sudakov (defender): "I still don't fully realize that I've joined the national team as a foreign player. Honestly, I haven't really thought much about it. I became a Benfica player very quickly. When I was in Lisbon for two or three days signing my contract, I didn't quite believe it. Even after training and meeting the team at the base, there was still this feeling that it was all some kind of dream.

The first time Portuguese media wrote about a possible transfer involving me was around a week and a half ago when I saw news that someone was interested in me. But over the past couple of years, many teams have shown interest in me, so I didn't pay much attention to it. It was only recently that my agent called me on August 24th late evening, shortly before the match against Sérètét, and told me that Benfica had a serious interest and possibly from Geneva you would be flying to Lisbon.

The hardest part was waiting. Those four or five days when you don't know if it will happen or not. The transfer window is closing, and while clubs are reportedly finalizing deals, I didn't know anything about it. No one had agreed on personal terms with me. The pressure builds up. So first of all, I focused on my game against Sérètét. It was an important match. Thankfully, Shakhtar won and advanced to the main round of the Conference League. And then late at night, I agreed on terms with Benfica.

Has my level of motivation and enthusiasm grown after the transfer? It's hard to say, but it feels like starting over again from scratch. Like restarting everything anew. At Shakhtar, you've already gone through a certain stage, while here you have to start all over again. Benfica represents a big step forward for me. I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and understand how exciting it is to begin the process with a new team, new teammates, coaches, learning new football moments.

I didn't receive any specific tips from Anatoliy Trubin. We were in constant contact; he sent me contacts for a girl who could help me learn Portuguese. I'll try to study the language two or three times a week — just basic things. This will make communication easier within the team, although almost everyone speaks English. But still, it's good to raise my level of knowledge and communicate with the coach, teammates — both on and off the pitch — in Portuguese.

The infrastructure at Benfica is simply incredible. I've been to the stadium and training base. Everything is there for you to develop and play. Lisbon is a beautiful city. The weather, tasty food, lots of Ukrainians. Once we settle all our personal affairs in a few months, it will be psychologically easier. Right now, I'm worried about my family's move, plus my pregnant wife and small child. Thoughts about apartments, cars, how to transport belongings... When this is all settled, things will be much easier.

What does the national team gain from this? Another foreign player. I've always said that we have talented footballers in Ukraine. I saw Vanat's interview where he mentioned that currently the level of the Ukrainian league is low. But it's very difficult to play every match, whether against Epiphany, Veres, or Dynamo. Every game in the first division is tough, especially when you're playing for Shakhtar. All teams come out against you as if it were their last match. But perhaps there isn't enough intensity and quality of pitches. European competitions are a completely different level. And for the national team, having more players play at the highest level, in the Champions League, is positive. I and Zabarny, who moved to PSG, will be playing in the Champions League. Anatoliy Trubin with me. Plus those players who are playing in England and Italy. Mykolenko and Yarmoluk in the Premier League have matches like in the Champions League. I think the national team benefits from this."

Photo: Dan Balashov

Vladyslav Vanat (forward): "The option with Grenoble appeared after my agent called. He said there was a possibility to move to this club. At first, I didn't believe it, but as the topic developed more, I understood that it could happen. Still can't believe I'm no longer a Dynamo player and now play for Grenoble. It feels like after the national team training, I need to go back to Kiev. But I don't have to anymore. It's both sad and happy at the same time.

The coaching staff in the national team said they finally saw me smiling. Although I've smiled a lot before, maybe they didn't notice. But now Rebrov says he did see it.

My mood and motivation? Even today at training — you work and think that you're already a European club player. A slightly different attitude towards yourself on the pitch. I feel my confidence has grown.

A few days ago, we messaged with Viktor Tsygankov, who gave me positive feedback. He sent me a photo from the locker room. In Grenoble, every locker has the player's name written on it. Tsygankov sent me a picture of his name and an empty spot next to it. It says: 'Come on, soon your initials will be here.'

The French national team is a strong squad. Probably the strongest in the world by player selection. But we have to come out and play against them. Win because that's what we train for — matches like these. This training camp will be successful if we win both of these games. Then it'll be easier at the next one."

Ukraine National Team Squad

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

Defenders: Ilya Zabarnyi («Paris Saint-Germain», Paris, France), Oleksandr Svytok («Austin FC», USA), Valeri Bondar, Mykola Matviyenko, Yurym Konoplyan (all — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Taras Mikhayliko, Vladyslav Dubynchak (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Bogdan Mykhailichenko («Polesye» Zhytomyr).

Midfielders: Oleksandr Zinchenko («Nottingham Forest», England), Yegor Yarmoluk («Brentford», England), Ivan Kalyuzhnyy («Metalist 1925» Kharkiv), Mykola Shaparenko, Nazar Volosin (both — «Dynamo» Kyiv), Oleksiy Ocheretynko, Artem Bondarenko (both — «Shakhtar» Donetsk), Oleksii Hutsulyak, Oleksandr Nazarenko (both — «Polesye» Zhytomyr), Viktor Tsygankov («Grenada», Spain), Georgiy Sudakov («Benfica» Lisbon, Portugal), Oleksandr Zubkov («Trabzonspor» Trabzon, Turkey).

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

Reserve List

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