Ukraine loses Yaremchuk: What Rebrov said and who will replace striker
Roman Yaremchuk will not play in the Ukraine - France match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (photo: facebook.com/uafukraine)
Head coach of the Ukrainian national team, Serhii Rebrov, reported an injury to striker Roman Yaremchuk, due to which the forward will not help the team in the opening matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. This is already the fourth personnel loss for the national team, as reported at the press conference before the Ukraine-France match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Fourth loss for national team before start of qualifiers
At the pre-match press conference, Rebrov confirmed that Yaremchuk was injured while playing for his club.
According to the coach, the player was very upset, but medical examinations left no doubt that he would not be able to play for the national team.
"Voloshyn has been additionally called up. Unfortunately, yes, Roman was injured in a game for his team. He was very upset. We received all the scans showing he has an injury, and we allowed him to train with his club," said Rebrov.
Yaremchuk has already become the fourth loss for the Ukrainian national team. Previously, due to injuries, defenders Oleksandr Tymchyk and Vitalii Mykolenko, as well as Real Madrid goalkeeper Andrii Lunin, could not help the team.
Who was additionally called up to national team
Due to personnel problems, the coaching staff made some changes to the squad. Dynamo midfielder Nazar Voloshyn was additionally called up.
In addition, from the reserve list, Bohdan Mykhaylichenko, Vladyslav Dubinchak, and goalkeeper Heorhii Bushchan were promoted to the main squad.
"Unfortunately, not everyone is available, but this is not the first time we have had many injuries. This happens, but all the players in the national team camp are very determined. I am confident that we will put up a fight," Rebrov noted during the pre-match press conference.
Updated squad of Ukrainian national team
- Goalkeepers: Anatolii Trubin (Benfica), Dmytro Riznyk (Shakhtar), Heorhii Bushchan (Al-Shabab).
- Defenders: Valerii Bondar, Mykola Matviienko, Yukhym Konoplia (all from Shakhtar), Taras Mykhavko, Vladyslav Dubinchak (both from Dynamo), Bohdan Mykhaylichenko (Polissia), Illia Zabarnyi (PSG), Oleksandr Svatok (Austin).
- Midfielders: Oleh Ocheretko, Artem Bondarenko (both from Shakhtar), Oleksii Hutsuliak, Oleksandr Nazarenko (both from Polissia), Heorhii Sudakov (Benfica), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Nottingham Forest), Yehor Yarmoliuk (Brentford), Ivan Kaliuzhnyi (Metalist 1925), Mykola Shaparenko, Nazar Voloshyn (both from Dynamo), Viktor Tsyhankov (Girona), Oleksandr Zubkov (Trabzonspor).
- Forwards: Artem Dovbyk (Roma), Vladyslav Vanat (Girona).
Yaremchuk's career in national team
Roman Yaremchuk last played for the national team during the friendly tournament "Canadian Shield" in Canada, where he played 24 minutes in the winning match against New Zealand.
In total, he has played 63 matches for Ukraine, scoring 17 goals and providing 8 assists.
When is game against France
The Ukrainian national team will play its first 2026 World Cup qualifying match against France on Friday, September 5. Kick-off is at 9:45 PM Kyiv time.
We previously reported that a Dynamo player has urgently replaced the Premier League star in the Ukrainian national team.
