Ukraine Faces Iceland in Crucial World Cup Qualifying Match

WARSAW, Poland — The Ukraine national football team is set to clash with Iceland in a crucial World Cup qualifying match on Sunday afternoon at Stadion Miejski Legii Warszawa. Both teams are eyeing a spot in the playoffs as the race for World Cup qualification heats up.

Ukraine comes into the match after suffering a 4-0 defeat against France, which ended their three-match unbeaten run in the qualifiers. This loss left the Blue and Yellows needing a win against Iceland to keep their hopes alive for a playoff position. Coach Serhiy Rebrov will be counting on players like Roman Yaremchuk to step up after a disappointing performance in Paris.

Iceland, on the other hand, is riding high after a 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan last week. They currently sit in a strong position to qualify, needing only to avoid defeat in this match to secure their playoff spot. Captain Albert Gudmundsson, who scored in the last match, will be crucial for their attack.

Unlike their last encounter in October, where Ukraine emerged victorious with a 5-3 win, this meeting will be more challenging. Ukraine’s performance against France highlighted their struggles, as they failed to register a single shot on target. Iceland showed resilience by achieving their first competitive away win since November 2024, which has boosted their confidence ahead of this encounter.

Both teams are dealing with injuries, as Ukraine will miss key players Artem Dovbyk and Arseniy Batahov, while Iceland arrives with a fully fit squad. Starting lineups are expected to feature a combination of experienced players and emerging talent as both coaches look to optimize their strategies for this must-win game.

The match kicks off at 6:00 p.m. BST. Fans can catch the action live on various sports networks, as both teams battle for a chance to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.