Ukraine has continued to play international football despite not being able to host matches since the Russian invasion of 2022.
Initially under Oleksandr Petrakov and now their former Dynamo Kyiv and Tottenham forward Serhiy Rebrov, Ukraine have predominantly played their home matches at various venues in Poland.
After a defeat to Wales in the playoffs ended their bid to reach the 2022 World Cup, Ukraine qualified for Euro 2024 but did not progress beyond the group stage after taking a solitary point from their three games in Germany.
Rebrov's side got back into the mix on the road to 2026 in North America, so how have those efforts progressed?
MORE: Can Israel qualify for 2026 World Cup? | How World Cup qualifying works
Is Ukraine playing at 2026 World Cup?
Ukraine were still in contention for a spot at the 2026 World Cup when the UEFA qualifiers entered the final two rounds of matches in November 2025.
After four games in Group D, Ukraine were second on seven points, three points shy of leaders France, who beat them 2-0 at Wroclaw Stadium.
An upset victory over Les Bleus in Paris on November 13 would leave the door ajar to progress to the World Cup directly as group winners. However, the most likely outcome is a second-place finish and a playoff spot.
If Ukraine lose to France and Iceland beat Azerbaijan, Ukraine will face Iceland level on points in their final match at Warsaw's Polish Army Stadium — a potential winner-takes-all clash for a playoff spot.
The 12 runners-up in the UEFA qualifying groups will advance to the playoffs alongside four entrants based on their Nations League performance. The teams will be drawn into four four-team "paths", with the winner from each straight knockout route gaining a place at the World Cup.
MORE: Where Ukraine play home games during war with Russia
Ukraine World Cup record
Ukraine has only competed at one World Cup, the 2006 tournament in Germany, where they progressed to the quarterfinals before being beaten by eventual winners Italy.
Prior to Ukraine gaining UEFA membership in 1992, Ukrainian players were eligible to represent the Soviet Union.