On September 5th in Wroclaw, the first round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers took place, featuring Ukraine against France. After several disappointing matches in the Nations League, coach Serhiy Rebrov emphasized that the main goal for his team is qualifying for the World Cup. And the time for a reality check has come — the qualifiers for the World Cup. The first opponent was the star-studded French team.
UKRAINE — FRANCE — 0:2
Ukraine lineup: Trubin, Konoplia, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko (c), Zinchenko (Voloshyn, 87), Kaluzhny, Zubkov (Nazarenko, 76), Yarmolyuk (Ocheretko, 82), Sudakov (Bondarenko, 82), Hutsulyak, Dovbyk (Vanat, 76).
Head Coach: Serhiy Rebrov.
France lineup: Maignan, Kounde, Konate (Gusto, 90+2), Upamecano, Digne, Kone, Tchouameni, Barcola (Rabiot, 76), Olise (Akliush, 90+2), Due (Dembele, 46, Ekiteke, 81), Mbappe.
Head Coach: Didier Deschamps.
Goals: Olise (10), Mbappe (82).
The Ukrainian team attempted to play defensively, but quickly fell apart, conceding a goal on the tenth minute when Barcola made a run down the left flank, outmaneuvered Konoplia, and assisted Michael Olise. Despite five Ukrainian players around, Olise managed to find space, strike, and score — 0:1. In the first half, Ukraine failed to create any dangerous opportunities, while the French could have scored multiple times, only to be denied by Anatoliy Trubin's impressive performance.
In the second half, Ukraine began to push forward and had chances to equalize. Coach Rebrov swapped the wingers Hutsulyak and Zubkov. In the 65th minute, after a cross from Zinchenko, Artem Dovbyk headed the ball, but Konate cleared it off the goal line.
In the 66th minute, after a free kick and a save, Ivan Kaluzhny attempted a follow-up, and Iliya Zabarnyi tried to redirect the ball, but it hit the goalpost and stayed out.
On the 82nd minute, the French scored again. Kylian Mbappe received a long pass, outran Zabarnyi, and beat Trubin — 0:2. That sealed the defeat for Ukraine.
On Tuesday, September 9th, Rebrov's team will face Azerbaijan.