The Executive Committee of the Ukrainian Football Association, which met today at the Kyiv House of Football, approved Oleksandr Petrakov as head coach of the national team of Ukraine.

"At the meeting, Oleksandr Vasylovich Petrakov was present. We entrusted him with the team in the very difficult qualification period on August 16-17 — when they had three points after three matches."

And exactly three months later, we can draw our first conclusions about his work — the national team has secured a place in the playoff for the World Cup 2022.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

During this time, the team did not lose a single match, drew against the reigning world champions, France, and secured two crucial away wins over direct competitors — Finland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

By the way, I would like to thank our colleagues from the French Football Federation for adhering to Respect and Fair Play principles in yesterday's match against Finland.

Returning to the topic of our national team and its coaching staff, I am absolutely convinced that Oleksandr Vasylovich Petrakov has fully earned a change in his formal status at the helm of the team.

In connection with this, taking into account the decision of the National Teams Committee of the UAF, I propose to appoint Petrakov Oleksandr Vasylovich as head coach of the national football team of Ukraine for a term until December 30, 2022 (i.e., until the end of the World Cup in Qatar) with an option to extend by mutual agreement until July 30, 2024 (i.e., for the qualification and final stages of Euro-2024)," — Andriy Pavelko, president of the Ukrainian Football Association and UEFA Executive Committee member, addressed the members of the UAF Executive Committee.

Photo by Pavel Kubanov

The members of the UAF Executive Committee unanimously supported this proposal.

Oleksandr Petrakov

World Champion U-20 (2019).

Semifinalist of the European Championship U-19 (2018).

Participant in the European Championship U-19 (2014).

Participant in the World Cup U-20 (2015).

Participant in the European Championship U-17 (2016).

Champion of Ukraine among juniors (2006, 2007).

Honored Coach of Ukraine (2009).

Honored Worker in Physical Culture and Sports of Ukraine (2019).

Acting head coach of the national team of Ukraine from 17.08.2021 to 17.11.2021.

Debut as head coach of the national team of Ukraine: September 1, 2021 (Kazakhstan - Ukraine - 2:2, World Cup qualification).

Led the national team of Ukraine in 7 matches (2021).

Participant in the World Cup qualification tournament (5 matches).