When fans search for Ukraine National Football Team vs England National Football Team Lineups, they usually want three things: who is likely to start, how the two squads compare, and what happened the last time the sides met. Ukraine and England have not played each other since September 2023, and no fixture is currently scheduled. This guide therefore builds the comparison from the squads both coaches have used in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, plus the full head-to-head record. It shows how each team lines up today, and how a meeting between them might look.
The Current Situation: Two Teams in Very Different Places
Both nations are in the middle of the 2026-27 Nations League, but their paths could hardly be more different.
England, under Thomas Tuchel, are in League A Group 3 with Spain, Croatia and Czechia. They are coming off a World Cup in which they finished third, after a thrilling 6-4 win over France in the third-place playoff. Their Nations League campaign started with a 3-2 defeat to world champions Spain at Wembley. They then won three straight games: 2-0 away to Czechia, a record-breaking 7-0 win in Croatia, and 3-0 against Czechia at Wembley. That leaves them second in the group on nine points.
Ukraine missed out on the 2026 World Cup. Andrea Maldera took over as head coach in May, replacing Serhiy Rebrov. Ukraine play in League B Group 2 against Hungary, Georgia and Northern Ireland. Because of the war, their “home” games are staged in Trnava, Slovakia. They began with a 1-0 win away to Hungary and a 0-0 draw in Georgia. Then came a 3-0 defeat to Northern Ireland and a 2-1 loss to Hungary, a result that leaves the promotion race open.
The gap in form and depth matters when thinking about lineups. England can rotate between world-class options in almost every position. Ukraine rely on a smaller group of trusted names and are still searching for goals.
England Probable Starting XI
Tuchel has used a flexible back four and a midfield built around Declan Rice. Based on the squad named for the autumn Nations League window and the lineups used in recent matches, England’s strongest XI would look like this (4-2-3-1, with a 4-3-3 variation):
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Jordan Pickford | Everton |
| RB | Trent Alexander-Arnold | Real Madrid |
| CB | Marc Guéhi | Manchester City |
| CB | Ezri Konsa | Arsenal |
| LB | Nico O’Reilly | Manchester City |
| CM | Declan Rice | Arsenal |
| CM | Elliot Anderson | Manchester City |
| RW | Bukayo Saka | Arsenal |
| AM | Jude Bellingham | Real Madrid |
| LW | Anthony Gordon | Barcelona |
| ST | Harry Kane | Bayern Munich |
This is a projection built from recent selections. Injuries and tactical choices will change the final XI.
England Squad: Key Player Details
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Jason Steele, James Trafford. Pickford is the undisputed first choice. He is a commanding shot-stopper and has been England’s number one for years. Steele (Brighton) and Trafford (Leeds United) provide cover, and Dean Henderson was not expected to return from injury until after the autumn window.
Defenders. The group named for the autumn window was Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarrad Branthwaite, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guéhi, Lewis Hall, Ezri Konsa, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly and Jarrell Quansah.
- Marc Guéhi is the leader of the back line. He is composed on the ball and quick across the turf.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold returned after missing the World Cup squad. His range of passing from right-back gives England a creative edge from deep.
- Nico O’Reilly and Lewis Hall offer versatility on the left, and both are comfortable stepping into midfield.
- Jarrad Branthwaite and Ezri Konsa give England physical, left- and right-sided options in the centre.
Midfielders. Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice and Alex Scott were all called up.
- Declan Rice is the engine. He shields the defence and drives forward when needed.
- Jude Bellingham is the creative and goal-scoring focal point between the lines.
- Cole Palmer returned after being left out of the World Cup squad. He is a gifted creator and a cool finisher who can play centrally or from the right.
- Kobbie Mainoo and Elliot Anderson provide technical, press-resistant options.
- Alex Scott, the 18-year-old Bournemouth midfielder, was named in a senior squad for the first time and is still waiting for his full debut.
Forwards. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Rio Ngumoha, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers and Bukayo Saka were selected.
- Harry Kane is captain and England’s all-time leading scorer. He also drops deep to link play, which helps Tuchel’s side build through the middle.
- Bukayo Saka is the primary threat on the right, with dribbling, work rate and end product.
- Anthony Gordon scored in the 7-0 win in Croatia and offers relentless energy on the left.
- Marcus Rashford, Eberechi Eze and Morgan Rogers give Tuchel pace and unpredictability off the bench.
- Rio Ngumoha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin add youth and a new look. Calvert-Lewin has been in strong form for Leeds.
Ukraine Probable Starting XI
Maldera has generally used a 4-2-3-1. His lineup for the 0-3 loss to Northern Ireland, adjusted for the players he has trusted most, is the best guide to how Ukraine would line up against a top side:
| Position | Player | Club (where confirmed) |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Dmytro Riznyk (or Anatoliy Trubin) | Shakhtar Donetsk / Benfica |
| RB | Eduard Sarapiy | Domestic club |
| CB | Illia Zabarnyi | Paris Saint-Germain |
| CB | Mykola Matviyenko | Shakhtar Donetsk |
| LB | Valeriy Bondar (or Vitalii Mykolenko) | Shakhtar Donetsk |
| CM | Volodymyr Brazhko | Dynamo Kyiv |
| CM | Oleh Ocheretko | Squad regular |
| RW | Viktor Tsygankov | Ajax |
| AM | Heorhii Sudakov | Squad regular |
| LW | Andriy Yarmolenko | Dynamo Kyiv |
| ST | Roman Yaremchuk | Olympiacos |
This is a projection based on recent matches. Maldera has rotated heavily, and the Northern Ireland coach noted that Ukraine essentially fielded two different teams in their first two games.
Ukraine Squad: Key Player Details
Goalkeepers: Anatoliy Trubin, Dmytro Riznyk, Heorhii Yermakov. Trubin of Benfica is among the tallest and most capable goalkeepers in Europe. Riznyk of Shakhtar Donetsk has also featured in the Nations League, and Yermakov (Kharkiv) is the third option.
Defenders. The UEFA squad list includes Valeriy Bondar, Oleksandr Drambayev, Illia Krupskyi, Mykola Matviyenko, Bohdan Mykhailichenko, Vitalii Mykolenko, Taras Mykhavko, Eduard Sarapiy, Ivan Varfolomieiev and Illia Zabarnyi.
- Illia Zabarnyi is Ukraine’s best defender and a Paris Saint-Germain player. He is quick, aggressive in the duel and good on the ball.
- Mykola Matviyenko brings experience and leadership alongside him.
- Valeriy Bondar is a dependable Shakhtar defender who can play in the centre or at left-back.
- Vitalii Mykolenko is the best natural left-back in the group when available.
- Taras Mykhavko, a 21-year-old, is one of the promising young centre-backs.
Midfielders. The squad includes Volodymyr Brazhko, Maksym Khlan, Oleksandr Nazarenko, Yehor Nazaryna, Oleh Ocheretko, Oleksandr Pikhalonok, Mykola Shaparenko, Heorhii Sudakov, Vladyslav Veleten and Andriy Yarmolenko.
- Heorhii Sudakov is the most creative player. He links midfield to attack and has the technical quality to unlock a deep defence.
- Volodymyr Brazhko gives balance and ball-winning in front of the defence.
- Oleh Ocheretko offers energy and progressive carrying.
- Andriy Yarmolenko is 37 and still featuring. His experience and finishing remain valuable, even if his minutes are managed.
Forwards. Ukraine’s attackers are Viktor Tsygankov (Ajax), Oleksandr Zubkov (AEK), Oleksandr Nazarenko (Polissya), Matvii Ponomarenko (Dynamo Kyiv), Danylo Sikan (Anderlecht), Vladyslav Vanat (Girona), Roman Yaremchuk (Olympiacos) and Artem Dovbyk (Bologna).
- Roman Yaremchuk has scored 18 international goals and is the main reference point. He scored Ukraine’s goal in the defeat to Hungary.
- Viktor Tsygankov is a clever, direct winger with a knack for cutting inside.
- Artem Dovbyk is a physical, high-scoring number nine who gives Maldera a different profile up front.
- Danylo Sikan and Vladyslav Vanat give pace and finishing depth.
Ukraine have also been without Mykhailo Mudryk, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Yarmolyuk in recent windows, which has hurt their creativity.
Tactical Comparison: How the Two Lineups Match Up
If these two sides met tomorrow, the contest would pit England’s technical depth against Ukraine’s organisation.
England’s strengths. The front six can interchange constantly. Bellingham, Palmer and Saka are all comfortable receiving between the lines, and Kane’s movement creates space for them. Alexander-Arnold’s distribution from right-back lets England switch play quickly. Defensively, England have conceded just two goals across their last three Nations League matches, and the front line presses hard.
England’s risks. The 3-2 defeat to Spain showed that England can be stretched when they commit bodies forward. Several defenders have also been in doubt because of injuries, so the back four is less settled than the front line.
Ukraine’s strengths. Zabarnyi and Matviyenko form a solid central pairing, and Maldera’s side were disciplined in the 1-0 win over Hungary and the 0-0 draw with Georgia. Sudakov and Tsygankov can hurt a team in transition, and Yaremchuk is a reliable penalty-box presence.
Ukraine’s risks. Goals have been the problem. Before the Northern Ireland game, Ukraine had managed just one goal from two matches. Missing creative players makes it harder to break teams down. Against England, that could mean long spells without the ball.
Likely outcome. England would be strong favourites. Their best XI is worth considerably more in quality than Ukraine’s, and the gap in recent results is stark. Ukraine’s best route would be a compact defensive block and quick counter-attacks through Tsygankov and Sudakov.
Recent Form: Last Matches for Each Team
England: Latest Nations League Results
| Date | Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Sep 2026 | England vs Spain | L 2-3 | Wembley |
| 29 Sep 2026 | Czechia vs England | W 2-0 | Prague |
| 3 Oct 2026 | Croatia vs England | W 7-0 | Rijeka |
| 6 Oct 2026 | England vs Czechia | W 3-0 | Wembley |
Ukraine: Latest Nations League Results
| Date | Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Sep 2026 | Hungary vs Ukraine | W 1-0 | Hungary |
| 28 Sep 2026 | Georgia vs Ukraine | D 0-0 | Georgia |
| 2 Oct 2026 | Ukraine vs Northern Ireland | L 0-3 | Trnava, Slovakia |
| 5 Oct 2026 | Ukraine vs Hungary | L 1-2 | Trnava, Slovakia |
England host Croatia on 12 November. Ukraine travel to Northern Ireland on 14 November and host Georgia on 17 November.
Head-to-Head: Ukraine vs England, All 10 Meetings
The two nations have met ten times. England have won six, three have been drawn and Ukraine have won once. The goal difference is 16-4 in England’s favour. Here are all ten matches, most recent first:
| # | Date | Competition | Match | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 Sep 2023 | Euro 2024 Qualifying | Ukraine vs England | 1-1 | Wrocław, Poland |
| 2 | 26 Mar 2023 | Euro 2024 Qualifying | England vs Ukraine | 2-0 | London |
| 3 | 3 Jul 2021 | Euro 2020 Quarter-final | Ukraine vs England | 0-4 | Rome |
| 4 | 10 Sep 2013 | World Cup 2014 Qualifying | Ukraine vs England | 0-0 | Kyiv |
| 5 | 11 Sep 2012 | World Cup 2014 Qualifying | England vs Ukraine | 1-1 | London |
| 6 | 19 Jun 2012 | Euro 2012 Group D | England vs Ukraine | 1-0 | Donetsk |
| 7 | 10 Oct 2009 | World Cup 2010 Qualifying | Ukraine vs England | 1-0 | Dnipropetrovsk |
| 8 | 1 Apr 2009 | World Cup 2010 Qualifying | England vs Ukraine | 2-1 | London |
| 9 | 18 Aug 2004 | Friendly | England vs Ukraine | 3-0 | Newcastle |
| 10 | 31 May 2000 | Friendly | England vs Ukraine | 2-0 | London |
What the history tells us. England’s biggest win was the 4-0 victory in the Euro 2020 quarter-final, when Harry Kane scored twice and Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson also found the net. Ukraine’s only win came in 2009 in Dnipropetrovsk. The most recent meeting, the 1-1 draw in Wrocław in 2023, saw Oleksandr Zinchenko give Ukraine the lead on 26 minutes before Kyle Walker, in a move set up by Kane, equalised on 41. England’s starting XI that night was Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Guéhi, Chilwell; Rice, Henderson, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Maddison. Ukraine started Bushchan; Konoplia, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Stepanenko, Zinchenko; Tsygankov, Sudakov, Mudryk; Yaremchuk.
Compare that with the probable lineups above. Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Kane, Pickford and Guéhi remain core England players. For Ukraine, only Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Tsygankov, Sudakov and Yaremchuk are still regulars. That is a good illustration of how much both squads have been refreshed in three years, and how much Ukraine’s team has changed.
Key Battles to Watch
- Kane vs Zabarnyi. England’s captain against Ukraine’s best defender. Kane’s movement away from the ball will test Zabarnyi’s discipline.
- Bellingham and Palmer vs Brazhko and Ocheretko. Ukraine’s central midfield pair must stop England’s creators from receiving between the lines.
- Saka vs Ukraine’s left side. Whoever starts at left-back for Ukraine will face a long evening against Saka’s dribbling.
- Sudakov and Tsygankov vs England’s full-backs. Alexander-Arnold’s attacking instincts leave space behind him. Ukraine’s counter-attacking threat would target that space.
- Yaremchuk vs Pickford. Ukraine’s main striker needs clear chances, and Pickford is rarely beaten from range.
Final Thoughts
For anyone following Ukraine National Football Team vs England National Football Team Lineups, the headline is a significant gap in depth and recent form, tempered by a long and mostly unpredictable history. England arrive with a settled spine, a record-breaking 7-0 win behind them and a deep attacking group, while Ukraine are rebuilding under Maldera and looking for goals. A meeting between the two sides is not currently scheduled, but when one is, expect Tuchel to lean on Pickford, Guéhi, Rice, Bellingham, Saka and Kane, and Maldera to build around Zabarnyi, Sudakov, Tsygankov and Yaremchuk. Check the official team announcements, which are usually published about an hour before kick-off, for the confirmed XI.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When are Ukraine and England next due to play each other?
There is no scheduled fixture between the two senior men’s teams. They are in different Nations League divisions, with England in League A and Ukraine in League B. A future meeting would require a qualifying draw or a friendly.
2. What was the result the last time Ukraine played England?
The last meeting was a 1-1 draw in a Euro 2024 qualifier on 9 September 2023 in Wrocław, Poland. Oleksandr Zinchenko scored for Ukraine and Kyle Walker equalised for England.
3. Who is the head coach of each team?
Thomas Tuchel manages England. Andrea Maldera has been Ukraine’s head coach since May 2026, when he replaced Serhiy Rebrov following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
4. Who are the key players to watch on each side?
For England: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer and Jordan Pickford. For Ukraine: Illia Zabarnyi, Heorhii Sudakov, Viktor Tsygankov, Roman Yaremchuk and goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
5. Which team has the better head-to-head record?
England, by a distance. In ten meetings, England have won six and drawn three, while Ukraine have won once, in 2009. England have scored 16 goals to Ukraine’s 4.
Spain National Football Team Vs Brazil National Football Team Lineups
2 thoughts on “Ukraine National Football Team vs England National Football Team Lineups”