This week, 54 countries across Europe and Eurasia will begin their campaigns to try to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Among them will be Ukraine, a country that continues to be ravaged by war.
Under normal circumstances, players who are selected to represent their nations are under pressure to deliver for their teams. They are seen as ambassadors, where they want to ensure that they do not disappoint their families, their fans, and their countries. But for the Ukrainians, there will be added pressure as they hope to lift the spirits of their compatriots. Ukraine will begin its World Cup qualification process on Friday.
The Impact Of Russia’s Invasion On The Ukrainian Soccer Community
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Like all other aspects of Ukrainian society, soccer (also known as football) has been impacted by the ongoing Russian invasion. When the war began in February 2022, numerous foreign players terminated their contracts, and they left Ukraine as they sought employment elsewhere. Those who stayed behind were forced to take refuge with their families.
For several months, the Ukrainian Association of Football ruled to suspend soccer within the country in an effort to ensure that players, staff, and fans were not harmed by Russian missile strikes and drones. Many of the soccer stadiums and facilities throughout Ukraine were damaged or destroyed as a result of the war.
Meanwhile, some members of the soccer community, such as players, coaches, and fans, opted to put their careers on hold so that they could fight to protect their homeland. Hundreds of these individuals joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces or the volunteer battalions. Many also made sacrifices for their country. According to the UAF, around 600 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed while fighting to defend Ukraine. Thousands of others have become amputees.
The Ukrainian soccer community has also experienced other losses. According to the UAF, 20 Ukrainian soccer clubs have gone bankrupt since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. These teams were primarily in southern and eastern Ukraine, regions that have been most heavily impacted by the war. The clubs did not generate revenue from ticket sales, memorabilia, and other products. As a result, the teams folded. Other stadiums and facilities were overrun entirely, and they are now under Russian occupation.
Despite these challenges, Ukrainian soccer has returned. In August 2022, the Ukrainian Premier League introduced an initial format to allow the sport to continue operating behind closed doors. In addition, several clubs were forced to relocate to western and central Ukraine, where soccer games would be permitted to be held after stringent safety reviews by local military administrations.
But there are some issues that still remain. Many matches throughout the past four seasons have been disrupted due to regular air raid alerts. During these events, the club’s staff, coaches, and players have been forced to take refuge in nearby bomb shelters mid-game after a threat alert sounds. This remains the case for the current 2025-2026 season, which began in July.
There is also a concern for fan safety. Following the completion of the 2023-2024 season, a limited amount of fans have now been permitted to attend soccer games played in Ukraine.
“Over the past 18 months, fans have been gradually re-admitted into grounds across the country,” Ukrainian soccer journalist Andrew Todos told me in an interview. “This in itself requires additional safety precautions and extra air raid shelter capacity. As such, limits cap crowds to just a few thousand fans.”
The Impact Of Russia’s Invasion On The Ukrainian National Soccer Team
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Aside from the domestic difficulties faced by Ukrainian soccer players and clubs within Ukraine, the senior men’s national soccer team has also experienced its own issues due to the war. When the Russian invasion began in 2022, the Union of European Football Associations announced that the Ukrainian national soccer team would not be allowed to host home games due to the war. This meant that the Ukrainian national soccer team would need to travel outside of the country to train and play in UEFA’s competitions and qualifications. (The same rule also applied to Ukrainian clubs competing in European competitions.)
Playing abroad has proved to be challenging for the Ukrainian national soccer team. During the qualification period for the 2024 European Championships, the Ukrainians were forced to hold their home games in countries such as Czechia, Germany, and Poland.
“These countries were strategically opted for due to their high quantity of Ukrainian diaspora, migrants, and refugees,” Todos told me in an interview. “However, regardless of the size and passion of the Ukrainian fan communities abroad, ‘home’ advantage has been lost for Ukraine. Every match is an ‘away’ game. And it will be the same during the upcoming [2026 World Cup qualification] campaign too.”
Aside from these challenges, many Ukrainian national soccer team players still have family and friends who reside in parts of Ukraine that are under Russian occupation. For example, Ukrainian national soccer team vice-captain Taras Stepanenko told Paramount+ that he has several family members who still reside in the Donetsk province of Ukraine. Russian forces heavily control a large part of this region.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian soccer defender Oleksandr Karavayev once recounted to reporters how his parents and other family members had lived under Russian occupation when Russian forces controlled the Ukrainian city of Kherson for several months. Karavayev explained the psychological challenges when playing for the national soccer team as he was constantly worried about his loved ones. He would later thank the Ukrainian Armed Forces after they liberated Kherson from Russian occupation.
The majority of the Ukrainian national soccer team has also contributed regularly to Ukraine’s war effort. For example, Ukrainian national soccer team captain Andriy Yarmolenko donated over $80,000 to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also purchased ambulances and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko has conducted numerous charity events to raise money for Ukrainian defense and humanitarian efforts. He estimates that he has raised over $1 million in these forms of assistance.
Similarly, Ukrainian defender Yukhym Konoplya told Euronews that several Ukrainian soccer players and other athletes have coordinated fundraising efforts to help their country during the war. He said that these individuals have raised funds for weapons, drones, and other materials for the Ukrainian Armed Forces by auctioning sports shirts and other memorabilia previously owned by these professional athletes.
These are just a few examples of what Ukraine’s soccer community is doing to help their country during the war. Like many of their compatriots, the soccer players have also lost loved ones and friends due to the fighting. Despite these hardships, they continue to play their sport. Members of the Ukrainian community have also welcomed the efforts taken by these soccer players.
“Ukrainian soccer has become a symbol of unity and strength for Ukrainians,” former Ukrainian soccer player and current volunteer Roman Korshykov told me in an interview. “When members of the Ukrainian national team step onto the pitch, they know they are playing not just a game, but for the dignity and hope of millions of Ukrainians.”
Finally, games played by the Ukrainian national soccer team serve as a distraction for Ukraine’s population. As Ukrainians continue to experience the hardships of war, these soccer games have given them a reason for optimism and cheer in an otherwise difficult period in their history. Winning soccer games on the international stage has helped lift the nation’s spirits, even if it is only for a brief moment.
“These matches remind the world that Ukraine is still surviving as a nation, that our country is continuing to defend itself, and that we are alive,” Korshykov told me in an interview. “For the Ukrainian soccer players playing for the national team, this is an honor as they are representing their country during this important time.”
The Impact Of The Russian Invasion On Russia’s Soccer Community
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Like Ukraine, the Russian invasion has also impacted the soccer community within Russia. When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, FIFA and UEFA issued a joint statement condemning the war. Both organizations also announced that Russia’s national soccer teams and clubs would be suspended from European and international tournaments until further notice. As a result, the Russian Federation would not be allowed to participate in the qualification matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 European Championships.
The suspension has had a cultural impact on Russian soccer. Due to the soccer ban enforced by FIFA and UEFA, several foreign players have opted to leave the Russian Premier League so that they can compete elsewhere. Suspension from international competitions has also discouraged foreigners from playing soccer in Russia. As a result, it has made Russian soccer less competitive.
Despite these challenges, Russian club soccer remains intact. The Russian Premier League has continued to operate, and it successfully completed every season since the start of the war in 2022. In addition, Russian soccer fans have been permitted to continuing watching games in person.
The suspension of Russian soccer from FIFA and UEFA has also had a financial effect on the Russian Federation. For example, The Athletic reported that many Russian teams have lost international sponsors such as Nike and Adidas. These contracts were worth tens of millions of dollars, meaning that the Russian national soccer team and several Russian clubs have missed out on this revenue. Furthermore, Russian soccer teams have lost millions of dollars in television rights because they no longer have public broadcasts. Due to these losses in revenue, the teams have been unable to improve their stadiums and training facilities.
UEFA is now looking to compensate Russia for these losses. The Guardian reported in August that, over the past three years, UEFA has provided over $11 million in solidarity funds to Russian soccer teams. This payment was distributed amongst Russia’s top clubs. The solidarity funds will not fully reverse the financial effects of the suspension imposed in 2022. Nonetheless, it will allow some Russian teams to earn additional revenue, giving them a competitive edge in the domestic Russian Premier League.
Finally, there have been recent reports that FIFA and UEFA may consider lifting the soccer suspension imposed on Russia. The Russian Football Union has even claimed that the Russian national soccer team may have an opportunity to try to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I can say that there is a dialogue,” said Maxim Mitrofanov, the General Secretary of the Russian Football Union. “Many [European soccer] federations have requested negotiations. These are working meetings, and many countries express their support [for Russia] in one way or another.”
But it is unclear how future discussions about Russian soccer will proceed. To date, several pro-Ukrainian European members within UEFA, such as England, Poland, Wales, Sweden, and Czechia, have called on FIFA and UEFA to uphold the soccer ban on Russia. As a result, Russia is still currently set to miss out on an opportunity to try to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ukraine’s Soccer Bid For The 2026 FIFA World Cup
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Now, as Ukraine prepares for its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, the Ukrainian soccer players will know that there will be pressure to deliver for their country. They will hope to make their country proud, knowing that each positive display will give Ukraine a morale boost. Members of the Ukrainian national soccer team have also dedicated their strong performances to those fighting to defend their country during the ongoing war.
“Given the current geopolitical context that Ukraine finds itself in, and with the World Cup being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it seems even more of an imperative to make next summer’s tournament,” Todos told me in an interview. “Ukraine agonizingly missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This was a large opportunity missed at the height of the globe’s attention on the country. Now, they have another chance to reignite that soft power diplomacy through sport by making the 2026 edition. Performances on the pitch can sometimes have a big impact off of them.”
Soccer will not end Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, nor will qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But the Ukrainian national soccer team will look at the upcoming qualification games as an opportunity to showcase Ukrainian history, culture, and sport as they remind the world of the ongoing war. Spectators and fans of Ukrainian soccer will watch anxiously as they await to see if Ukraine will qualify for next year’s most prestigious soccer competition.
Aerospace & Defense, /aerospace-defense, Business, /business, standard This week, 54 countries across Europe and Eurasia will begin their campaigns to try to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Among them will be Ukraine, a country that continues to be ravaged by war.
Under normal circumstances, players who are selected to represent their nations are under pressure to deliver for their teams. They are seen as ambassadors, where they want to ensure that they do not disappoint their families, their fans, and their countries. But for the Ukrainians, there will be added pressure as they hope to lift the spirits of their compatriots. Ukraine will begin its World Cup qualification process on Friday.
The Impact Of Russia’s Invasion On The Ukrainian Soccer CommunityBAKHMUT, UKRAINE – JUL 28: A view of the damage at a football stadium after a shelling in Bakhmut, Ukraine on July 28, 2022. (Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Like all other aspects of Ukrainian society, soccer (also known as football) has been impacted by the ongoing Russian invasion. When the war began in February 2022, numerous foreign players terminated their contracts, and they left Ukraine as they sought employment elsewhere. Those who stayed behind were forced to take refuge with their families.
For several months, the Ukrainian Association of Football ruled to suspend soccer within the country in an effort to ensure that players, staff, and fans were not harmed by Russian missile strikes and drones. Many of the soccer stadiums and facilities throughout Ukraine were damaged or destroyed as a result of the war.
Meanwhile, some members of the soccer community, such as players, coaches, and fans, opted to put their careers on hold so that they could fight to protect their homeland. Hundreds of these individuals joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces or the volunteer battalions. Many also made sacrifices for their country. According to the UAF, around 600 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed while fighting to defend Ukraine. Thousands of others have become amputees.
The Ukrainian soccer community has also experienced other losses. According to the UAF, 20 Ukrainian soccer clubs have gone bankrupt since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022. These teams were primarily in southern and eastern Ukraine, regions that have been most heavily impacted by the war. The clubs did not generate revenue from ticket sales, memorabilia, and other products. As a result, the teams folded. Other stadiums and facilities were overrun entirely, and they are now under Russian occupation.
Despite these challenges, Ukrainian soccer has returned. In August 2022, the Ukrainian Premier League introduced an initial format to allow the sport to continue operating behind closed doors. In addition, several clubs were forced to relocate to western and central Ukraine, where soccer games would be permitted to be held after stringent safety reviews by local military administrations.
But there are some issues that still remain. Many matches throughout the past four seasons have been disrupted due to regular air raid alerts. During these events, the club’s staff, coaches, and players have been forced to take refuge in nearby bomb shelters mid-game after a threat alert sounds. This remains the case for the current 2025-2026 season, which began in July.
There is also a concern for fan safety. Following the completion of the 2023-2024 season, a limited amount of fans have now been permitted to attend soccer games played in Ukraine.
“Over the past 18 months, fans have been gradually re-admitted into grounds across the country,” Ukrainian soccer journalist Andrew Todos told me in an interview. “This in itself requires additional safety precautions and extra air raid shelter capacity. As such, limits cap crowds to just a few thousand fans.”
The Impact Of Russia’s Invasion On The Ukrainian National Soccer TeamNUREMBERG, GERMANY – JUNE 03: Ukraine players pose for a team photograph prior to the international friendly match between Germany and Ukraine at Max-Morlock-Stadion on June 03, 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)Getty Images
Aside from the domestic difficulties faced by Ukrainian soccer players and clubs within Ukraine, the senior men’s national soccer team has also experienced its own issues due to the war. When the Russian invasion began in 2022, the Union of European Football Associations announced that the Ukrainian national soccer team would not be allowed to host home games due to the war. This meant that the Ukrainian national soccer team would need to travel outside of the country to train and play in UEFA’s competitions and qualifications. (The same rule also applied to Ukrainian clubs competing in European competitions.)
Playing abroad has proved to be challenging for the Ukrainian national soccer team. During the qualification period for the 2024 European Championships, the Ukrainians were forced to hold their home games in countries such as Czechia, Germany, and Poland.
“These countries were strategically opted for due to their high quantity of Ukrainian diaspora, migrants, and refugees,” Todos told me in an interview. “However, regardless of the size and passion of the Ukrainian fan communities abroad, ‘home’ advantage has been lost for Ukraine. Every match is an ‘away’ game. And it will be the same during the upcoming [2026 World Cup qualification] campaign too.”
Aside from these challenges, many Ukrainian national soccer team players still have family and friends who reside in parts of Ukraine that are under Russian occupation. For example, Ukrainian national soccer team vice-captain Taras Stepanenko told Paramount+ that he has several family members who still reside in the Donetsk province of Ukraine. Russian forces heavily control a large part of this region.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian soccer defender Oleksandr Karavayev once recounted to reporters how his parents and other family members had lived under Russian occupation when Russian forces controlled the Ukrainian city of Kherson for several months. Karavayev explained the psychological challenges when playing for the national soccer team as he was constantly worried about his loved ones. He would later thank the Ukrainian Armed Forces after they liberated Kherson from Russian occupation.
The majority of the Ukrainian national soccer team has also contributed regularly to Ukraine’s war effort. For example, Ukrainian national soccer team captain Andriy Yarmolenko donated over $80,000 to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also purchased ambulances and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko has conducted numerous charity events to raise money for Ukrainian defense and humanitarian efforts. He estimates that he has raised over $1 million in these forms of assistance.
Similarly, Ukrainian defender Yukhym Konoplya told Euronews that several Ukrainian soccer players and other athletes have coordinated fundraising efforts to help their country during the war. He said that these individuals have raised funds for weapons, drones, and other materials for the Ukrainian Armed Forces by auctioning sports shirts and other memorabilia previously owned by these professional athletes.
These are just a few examples of what Ukraine’s soccer community is doing to help their country during the war. Like many of their compatriots, the soccer players have also lost loved ones and friends due to the fighting. Despite these hardships, they continue to play their sport. Members of the Ukrainian community have also welcomed the efforts taken by these soccer players.
“Ukrainian soccer has become a symbol of unity and strength for Ukrainians,” former Ukrainian soccer player and current volunteer Roman Korshykov told me in an interview. “When members of the Ukrainian national team step onto the pitch, they know they are playing not just a game, but for the dignity and hope of millions of Ukrainians.”
Finally, games played by the Ukrainian national soccer team serve as a distraction for Ukraine’s population. As Ukrainians continue to experience the hardships of war, these soccer games have given them a reason for optimism and cheer in an otherwise difficult period in their history. Winning soccer games on the international stage has helped lift the nation’s spirits, even if it is only for a brief moment.
“These matches remind the world that Ukraine is still surviving as a nation, that our country is continuing to defend itself, and that we are alive,” Korshykov told me in an interview. “For the Ukrainian soccer players playing for the national team, this is an honor as they are representing their country during this important time.”
The Impact Of The Russian Invasion On Russia’s Soccer CommunityMOSCOW, RUSSIA – JUNE 14: General view of the stadium as fans celebrate the opening goal scored by Iury Gazinsky of Russia during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium on June 14, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)Getty Images
Like Ukraine, the Russian invasion has also impacted the soccer community within Russia. When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, FIFA and UEFA issued a joint statement condemning the war. Both organizations also announced that Russia’s national soccer teams and clubs would be suspended from European and international tournaments until further notice. As a result, the Russian Federation would not be allowed to participate in the qualification matches for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 European Championships.
The suspension has had a cultural impact on Russian soccer. Due to the soccer ban enforced by FIFA and UEFA, several foreign players have opted to leave the Russian Premier League so that they can compete elsewhere. Suspension from international competitions has also discouraged foreigners from playing soccer in Russia. As a result, it has made Russian soccer less competitive.
Despite these challenges, Russian club soccer remains intact. The Russian Premier League has continued to operate, and it successfully completed every season since the start of the war in 2022. In addition, Russian soccer fans have been permitted to continuing watching games in person.
The suspension of Russian soccer from FIFA and UEFA has also had a financial effect on the Russian Federation. For example, The Athletic reported that many Russian teams have lost international sponsors such as Nike and Adidas. These contracts were worth tens of millions of dollars, meaning that the Russian national soccer team and several Russian clubs have missed out on this revenue. Furthermore, Russian soccer teams have lost millions of dollars in television rights because they no longer have public broadcasts. Due to these losses in revenue, the teams have been unable to improve their stadiums and training facilities.
UEFA is now looking to compensate Russia for these losses. The Guardian reported in August that, over the past three years, UEFA has provided over $11 million in solidarity funds to Russian soccer teams. This payment was distributed amongst Russia’s top clubs. The solidarity funds will not fully reverse the financial effects of the suspension imposed in 2022. Nonetheless, it will allow some Russian teams to earn additional revenue, giving them a competitive edge in the domestic Russian Premier League.
Finally, there have been recent reports that FIFA and UEFA may consider lifting the soccer suspension imposed on Russia. The Russian Football Union has even claimed that the Russian national soccer team may have an opportunity to try to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I can say that there is a dialogue,” said Maxim Mitrofanov, the General Secretary of the Russian Football Union. “Many [European soccer] federations have requested negotiations. These are working meetings, and many countries express their support [for Russia] in one way or another.”
But it is unclear how future discussions about Russian soccer will proceed. To date, several pro-Ukrainian European members within UEFA, such as England, Poland, Wales, Sweden, and Czechia, have called on FIFA and UEFA to uphold the soccer ban on Russia. As a result, Russia is still currently set to miss out on an opportunity to try to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ukraine’s Soccer Bid For The 2026 FIFA World CupUKRAINE – 2024/02/21: In this photo illustration, 2026 FIFA World Cup (FIFA World Cup 26) logo is seen on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Now, as Ukraine prepares for its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, the Ukrainian soccer players will know that there will be pressure to deliver for their country. They will hope to make their country proud, knowing that each positive display will give Ukraine a morale boost. Members of the Ukrainian national soccer team have also dedicated their strong performances to those fighting to defend their country during the ongoing war.
“Given the current geopolitical context that Ukraine finds itself in, and with the World Cup being hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, it seems even more of an imperative to make next summer’s tournament,” Todos told me in an interview. “Ukraine agonizingly missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This was a large opportunity missed at the height of the globe’s attention on the country. Now, they have another chance to reignite that soft power diplomacy through sport by making the 2026 edition. Performances on the pitch can sometimes have a big impact off of them.”
Soccer will not end Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, nor will qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But the Ukrainian national soccer team will look at the upcoming qualification games as an opportunity to showcase Ukrainian history, culture, and sport as they remind the world of the ongoing war. Spectators and fans of Ukrainian soccer will watch anxiously as they await to see if Ukraine will qualify for next year’s most prestigious soccer competition.
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