In the UEFA playoffs, Sweden faced Ukraine in a high-stakes semifinal. The Blue and Yellow managed to secure the win thanks to a hat-trick by Viktor Gyokeres, allowing them to advance to the final round.

In the other semifinal, Poland stunned Albania. Now, Sweden and Poland will meet in the Path B final to determine which nation will qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

When will Sweden play the final of Path B?

Sweden will return home to Solna to try to secure their qualification in front of their own fans. Regardless of the semifinal outcomes, the final was pre-determined to be played at the home of the Ukraine vs. Sweden winner.

The game between Sweden and Poland will take place on Tuesday, March 31, at the Strawberry Arena in Solna. This duel will determine which nation advances to the World Cup from Path B of the UEFA playoffs.

World Cup Group F destiny

As the 2026 World Cup groups have already been drawn, both nations know exactly what awaits them if they qualify. The winner of the Sweden vs. Poland match will enter Group F.

The qualifying nation will join a challenging group that includes the Netherlands, Japan, and Tunisia. Many fans regard this as one of the toughest groups in the upcoming World Cup.

[Watch Ukraine vs Sweden online in the US on Fubo]

It’s a win-or-go-home clash between Ukraine and Sweden, with both sides entering in very different form. Ukraine impressed in qualifying—finishing second behind France and eliminating Iceland—and comes in as the favorite.

Sweden, on the other side, rebounded from a poor campaign by staying alive through the Nations League. With Ukraine riding momentum and Sweden leaning on experience, this high-stakes matchup is one you won’t want to miss.

When will the Ukraine vs Sweden match be played?

Ukraine take on Sweden on Thursday, March 26, in the Path B semifinal of the World Cup qualifiers, with kickoff slated for 3:45 PM (ET).

Ukraine vs Sweden: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:45 PM
CT: 2:45 PM
MT: 1:45 PM
PT: 12:45 PM

How to watch Ukraine vs Sweden in the USA

Catch the thrilling UEFA World Cup qualifiers showdown between Ukraine and Sweden in the USA. Stream the action on Fubo. Other options: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video and ViX.

Graham Potter‘s men earned their place in the play‑offs partly thanks to their performance in the UEFA Nations League, which gave them a route into the second round despite a difficult group stage.

Ukraine, on the other hand, secured a play‑off spot by finishing second in Group D behind France, meaning they must now navigate this knockout match to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

What happens if Sweden beat Ukraine today?

If Sweden beat Ukraine today, Sweden will advance to the UEFA play‑off final on March 31, 2026, putting them one step away from qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Sweden reached this play‑off stage thanks to their performance in the UEFA Nations League ranking, which gave them one of the four extra slots in the 16‑team playoff bracket despite not finishing in the top two of their qualifying group.

By winning today’s match, they would carry momentum and the psychological advantage into the final against the winner of Poland vs Albania, with the victorious side on March 31 earning one of Europe’s remaining four World Cup spots.

What happens if Sweden and Ukraine tie?

If Sweden and Ukraine tie at the end of regular time, the match will not end in a draw — UEFA play‑off rules require a winner to be decided on the day. The game would then proceed to extra time, with 30 additional minutes played.

If still level after extra time, the tie would be settled by a penalty shootout. This format is standard for the UEFA second‑round play‑offs: all fixtures are single‑leg knockout matches where ties after 90 minutes must be resolved before a team can advance to the play‑off final.

What happens if Sweden lose to Ukraine today?

If Sweden lose to Ukraine today, Sweden’s run in the UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers will end. They would be eliminated from contention for the World Cup via the play‑off route.

Ukraine would advance to the Path B final, where they would play the winner of Poland vs Albania. Victory in that final would earn Ukraine a spot in the 48‑team 2026 World Cup tournament.

All they needed was one. Iceland fought hard to keep the deadlock, but it eventually broke. Ukraine found the game-winning goal from a corner kick with less than five minutes left in regulation time. They say two headers in the penalty area are synonymous with a goal, and that proved true as Oleksandr Zubkov found the back of the net to send Ukraine through to the UEFA Play-Off Round. With Iceland fully on the attack, a counterattack from Ukraine led to the insurance 2-0 goal.

A win or draw would have sent Iceland through to the playoffs instead, but Ukraine finally struck the decisive blow, breaking hearts across the Land of Fire and Ice.

When the final whistle blew, Iceland fell to third place in Group D of the UEFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, officially waving goodbye their dream of making the 2026 FIFA World Cup—to be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. With the 2-0 loss to Ukraine, Iceland have been eliminated from World Cup contention.

Iceland fail to make second World Cup appearance

Iceland failed to rise back up, and instead their World Cup hopes were over as Ukraine defeated them 2-0 in a decisive matchup in Group D.

Iceland remained hopeful until the end, but it simply wasn’t to be. In heartbreaking fashion, Ukraine scored two late goals to keep their hopes alive. Meanwhile, Iceland failed to make the FIFA World Cup for the second time in soccer history. The Land of Fire and Ice had made the tournament in 2018.

Moreover, they have only recorded one point in World Cup history, and that came from a 1-1 draw against Lionel Messi and Argentina. To make their lone appearance even more memorable, goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson stopped a penalty shot from the Argentine star.

Group D standings

• France (16 points)
• Ukraine (10 points)
• Iceland (7 points)
• Azerbaijan (1 point)

In this way, Sergiy Rebrov’s side secured a spot in the playoffs, although its place in the next World Cup is not yet guaranteed. This upcoming stage will ultimately decide Ukraine’s fate.

Meanwhile, Iceland, who before this match held a playoff spot thanks to a superior goal difference, were ultimately eliminated, with its dream of appearing in the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada now dashed.

The match was decided in the final ten minutes. First, Zubkov scored in the 83rd minute with a header, and Hutsulyak sealed the victory in the third minute of stoppage time.

If Ukraine can overcome the obstacle awaiting them in the upcoming playoff, they will compete in the World Cup for only the second time in their history. Their first appearance was in Germany 2006, where they surprisingly reached the quarterfinals.

Playoff spot in sight

Ukraine have successfully earned a crucial lifeline in their bid for World Cup qualification, securing a spot in the upcoming playoff stage following a dramatic victory over Iceland. This hard-fought win keeps their dream of appearing in the next World Cup alive.

They now advance to the high-stakes playoff bracket, where their opponents are yet to be finalized. The path ahead remains difficult, but Ukraine now have a clear shot through the playoffs to claim one of the final coveted spots in the global tournament.

[Watch France vs Ukraine online in the US on Fubo]

France are heading into a pivotal clash in Group D, sitting atop the table with 10 points but still needing a win to lock up their place in the next World Cup. Kylian Mbappe and company know what’s at stake, as a victory here would secure qualification before the final Matchday.

Standing in their way is Ukraine, the team closest to challenging their lead. The Ukrainians remain in contention for first place, but their hopes hinge entirely on pulling off a win in this high-stakes showdown.

When will the France vs Ukraine match be played?

France play against Ukraine this Thursday, November 13, for Matchday 5 of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. The match is set to kick off at 2:45 PM (ET).

France vs Ukraine: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:45 PM
CT: 1:45 PM
MT: 12:45 PM
PT: 11:45 AM

How to watch France vs Ukraine in the USA

The UEFA World Cup Qualifiers matchup between France and Ukraine will be available for viewers in the USA via Fubo. Other options: FS2, DirecTV Stream and ViX.

Ousmane Dembele is sidelined for France vs Ukraine today due to a calf injury sustained nine days ago while playing for his club, Paris Saint-Germain. This marks his third injury of the season; he previously missed the start of the season with a hamstring issue following the Club World Cup.

In Dembele’s absence, Deschamps must seek a replacement in the lineup, as France boast one of the deepest pools of talent. From Kylian Mbappe to Rayan Cherki, Deschamps has an array of options to fill Dembele’s shoes, which could prove advantageous if Dembele require replacement again in the future.

Meanwhile, Ukraine aim to upset France in Paris, with Malinovskiy pivotal in their efforts to overcome the 2018 World Cup champions. Historically, the Ukrainians have struggled against the French National Soccer Team, holding a 0-2-4 record when playing in France.

Who can replace Ousmane Dembele today?

Considering the roster Deschamps assembled for this fixture, numerous alternatives are available to replace Dembele against Ukraine. The odds favor the French side, presenting an opportunity to introduce fresh faces to the starting lineup.

Christopher Nkunku, Bradley Barcola, or Maghnes Akliouche could potentially feature in today’s lineup against Ukraine. Cherki, Kolo Muani, Kylian Mbappe, and Jean-Phillipe Mateta are among the key options under consideration by France’s head coach.

Predicted starting XI for France vs Ukraine

With Mbappe leading the team and the return of N’golo Kante to the roster, France are pulling out all the stops to secure their place in next year’s World Cup in North America.

Here’s the predicted lineup against Ukraine:

Goalkeeper: Maignan

Defenders: Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, T. Hernandez

Midfielders: Zaire-Emery, Camavinga, Kone

Forwards: Olise, Mbappe, Barcola

[Watch Ukraine U20 vs Spain U20 online in the US on Fubo]

The matchup features two sides that took very different paths through the group stage. Ukraine lived up to expectations as one of the favorites, proving even stronger than anticipated by collecting seven of a possible nine points.

Spain, projected to be a powerhouse early on, struggled to find its rhythm and finished third in its group. With the slate now wiped clean, both teams enter the knockout stage looking to make a statement and punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.

When will the Ukraine U20 vs Spain U20 match be played?

Ukraine U20 take on Spain U20 on Tuesday, October 7, for the 2025 U20 World Cup round of 16. The clash is scheduled to kick off at 3:30 PM (ET).

Ukraine U20 vs Spain U20: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:30 PM
CT: 2:30 PM
MT: 1:30 PM
PT: 12:30 PM

How to watch Ukraine U20 vs Spain U20 in the USA

Don’t miss this exciting 2025 U20 World Cup match between Ukraine U20 and Spain U20 in the USA. Watch the match on Fubo. Other options: FS2, Universo, DirecTV Stream.

Ousmane’s absence from the starting lineup is not just a tactical choice by France head coach Didier Deschamps. L’Equipe reports that the PSG star striker missed a closed-door training session before the World Cup Qualifiers. Although no injury has been cited, questions about his physical readiness remain after his hamstring issue suffered against Toulouse. As a result, his participation may be confined to a few minutes off the bench, or he could sit out entirely.

Despite France’s depth of world-class talent, concerns about his physical condition cast a shadow over the offense. This is particularly significant following an outstanding season with PSG, where he played 53 matches, netting 35 goals and providing 16 assists. His performance also positions him as a prime contender for the Ballon d’Or award. For that reason, fans are expecting him to have more playing time in the upcoming games.

France lineup vs Ukraine

With Ousmane Dembele absent from the starting lineup, head coach Didier Deschamps decided to include young Bradley Barcola in his place. In addition, France have most of their stars, such as Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappe, so they have maintained a similar lineup to the one they have been using for several games.

Considering this, France will play as follows in their debut in the 2026 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: Mike Maignan, Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konate, Dayot Upamecano, Lucas Digne; Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni; Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise, Desire Doue; Kylian Mbappe.

What’s next for France in the 2026 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers?

After today’s game, France embark on a crucial stretch of games that will shape their journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Competing in Group D, they will face off against formidable opponents Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan. Their next outing is set for September 9, as they take on Iceland to wrap up the initial doubleheader of the qualifiers.

[Watch Ukraine vs France online in the US on Fubo]

France kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign with expectations sky-high, as Mbappe’s squad is favorite to top a competitive group that still poses its share of challenges. Their opener against Ukraine won’t be a walkover.

The Ukrainians are eyeing a push for second place and knowing a statement win could even thrust them into the race for first. For France, the path to control starts here, and anything less than three points would send an early warning that this journey won’t be as straightforward as many expect.

When will the Ukraine vs France match be played?

Ukraine receive France this Friday, September 5, for Matchday 1 of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. The match is set to kick off at 2:45 PM (ET).

Ukraine vs France: Time by State in the USA

ET: 2:45 PM
CT: 1:45 PM
MT: 12:45 PM
PT: 11:45 AM

How to watch Ukraine vs France in the USA

The UEFA World Cup Qualifiers matchup between Ukraine and France will be available for viewers in the USA via Fubo. Other options: FS2, DirecTV Stream, ViX.

[Watch Belgium vs Ukraine live in the USA for FREE on Fubo]

Ukraine stunned Belgium with a 3-1 comeback win in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoff, putting themselves in a strong position to secure advancement. The result not only gives Ukraine the upper hand but also exposes Belgium’s struggles, raising doubts about their ability to respond.

Still, Ukraine must avoid complacency, knowing Belgium remains capable of overturning the two-goal deficit. For that to happen, Belgium will need a complete turnaround from their lackluster first-leg performance and a much sharper display in the return fixture.

When will the Belgium vs Ukraine match be played?

Belgium take on Ukraine in the second leg 2024/2025 UEFA Nations League promotion/relegation playoffs this Sunday, March 23. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:45 PM (ET).

Belgium vs Ukraine: Time by State in the USA

ET: 3:45 PM

CT: 2:45 PM

MT: 1:45 PM

PT: 12:45 PM

How to watch Belgium vs Ukraine in the USA

Watch this 2024-25 UEFA Nations League showdown between Belgium and Ukraine live in the USA on Fubo (free trial). Other options: Tubi, Amazon Prime Video, ViX.