The head coach of the Ukraine national futsal team, Oleksandr Kosynko, commented on their victory over Kosovo (3:1) in the opening match of the World Cup 2024 qualifiers.

"First and foremost, I want to thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for allowing us to play futsal and participate in World Cup qualifiers. I also want to thank every Ukrainian who defends our country. I would like to congratulate everyone who supports us with their cheers on this first victory."

I congratulate the Kosovo team on their good game. We had something to compare it to, as we faced them three years ago. This is a completely different team, quite organized and technical, moving well and playing solid defense, launching counterattacks effectively. It's all the more pleasant that we managed to win today.

Indeed, Kosovo’s quick goal influenced the course of the game. We told the boys that it was important who scored first. If we had scored first, Kosovo would have needed to open up and pay more attention to their attack. So we tried to score but ended up conceding instead. It was very difficult for us to equalize because there was a sense of heaviness in the final stages since we were the ones who conceded first in our opening match. But I congratulate my boys on managing to level the score and secure victory. This is a very important win. This is the first game that will influence the further development of our play.

I am satisfied with the performance of my team. We made mistakes, but overall we controlled the game and created opportunities. We still need to work on finishing, final shots, and final passes. There was a lot of responsibility in the first match; we didn't score from good positions, but the main thing is that we won. I am satisfied with the result and how the boys performed today," — said Oleksandr Kosynko after the game.

World Cup 2024. European Qualifiers. Main Round. Group 11

September 18, 2022

Netherlands — Kosovo — 2:1

October 7, 2022

Ukraine — Kosovo — 3:1 (1:1)

Goals: Chernyavskyi (15), Korsun (24), Melnyk (27) — Kasrati (2).

At the 39th minute, Melnyk (U) missed a double penalty.

Ukraine: Tzipun — Chernyavskyi, Korsun, Shoturma, Zvarych; Sukhov, Radevich, Malishko, Melnyk, Lebid', Mykytyuk, Syryi, Abakshin, Farenyuk.

Kosovo: Ramadan — Kasrati, Kelmendi, Majdarray, Rukovci; Bechiri, Dakaj, Hajdziej, Murtesi, Derwisha, Salihu, Nishori, Qvarri.

Warned: Qvarri (4), Majdarray (21).

October 7. Salaspils. Sports Complex.

Standings

October 11, 2022

Ukraine — Netherlands (7:00 PM)

November 9, 2022

Kosovo — Ukraine (6:00 PM)

March 3, 2023

Kosovo — Netherlands

March 8, 2023

Netherlands — Ukraine

In the main round, 36 national teams are divided into 12 groups of three teams each, where matches will be played home and away. The 12 group winners and four best second-place finishers advance to the elite round. The other eight second-place finishers will participate in a playoff for the main round.

World Cup 2024. European Qualifiers. Main Round

Group 1: Spain, Moldova, Cyprus.

Group 2: Georgia, Belgium, Austria.

Group 3: Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia.

Group 4: Portugal, Belarus, Lithuania.

Group 5: Kazakhstan, Slovenia, Montenegro.

Group 6: Azerbaijan, Poland, Greece.

Group 7: Croatia, Hungary, Israel.

Group 8: Finland, Romania, Denmark.

Group 9: Serbia, France, Norway.

Group 10: Italy, North Macedonia, Sweden.

Group 11: Ukraine, Netherlands, Kosovo.

Group 12: Slovakia, Latvia, Germany.

Format

Qualification takes place in five stages: a preliminary round (mini-tournaments), the main round (groups with home and away matches), playoffs of the main round (home and away matches), an elite round (groups with home and away matches) and playoffs of the elite round (home and away matches).

Main Round Playoffs

Drawing: March 10, 2023.

Matches: April 10—19, 2023.

Eight teams will be divided into four pairs and matches will take place home and away. The winners advance to the elite round.

Elite Round

Drawing: July 5, 2023.

Matches: will be completed by December 20, 2023.

Twenty national teams will be divided into five groups of four teams each, matches will take place home and away. Five group winners advance to the World Cup 2024. The top four second-place finishers advance to the playoffs of the elite round. If the European association is selected to host the final tournament, only two best second-place finishers will advance to the playoffs of the elite round.

Elite Round Playoffs

Drawing: January 25, 2024.

Matches: April 8—17, 2024.

Four teams will be divided into two pairs (if only two teams participate in the playoffs, a draw will determine the order of matches), matches will take place home and away. The winners advance to the World Cup 2024.