The Ukraine-France match, counting for the European qualifications of the 2026 World Cup (group D), attracts all attention. Many supporters wonder where this meeting will be played, Ukraine being unable to welcome international matches on its soil since the start of the armed conflict in 2022. The UEFA therefore had to find a solution for this eagerly awaited meeting, scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025.
Wrocław's choice in Poland
The meeting will finally take place at Tarczynski Arena in Wrocław, Poland. This modern stage, also called Stadion Miejski, has a capacity of around 45,000 seats. Located 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, the city of Wrocław is regularly chosen to host the “home” matches of Ukraine, offering geographic proximity for its supporters while guaranteeing the security conditions imposed by UEFA.
Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been forced to play all its international meetings abroad. Cities like Krakow, Warsaw and Hamburg have already served as temporary fall points. This situation continues in 2025, because the conflict remains intense, with bombings and military operations making any return of international football on Ukrainian soil impossible. The country's clubs know the same constraint in European competitions, relocating their “home” matches in Poland or Germany.
Ukraine-France: a symbolic match far from kyiv
Impact on Ukrainian football
Despite the war, the Ukrainian Premier League continues to exist with adaptation measures. Clubs like the Shakhtar Donetsk or the Zorya Luhansk play far from their cities of origin, and the matches are sometimes interrupted by air alerts. However, the stadiums still welcome supporters, offering a rare moment of normality and solidarity. On the European scene, five Ukrainian clubs are participating this season in UEFA competitions, all forced to receive abroad.
The match against France, 2018 world champion and world vice-champion 2022, has a strong sporting and symbolic scope for Ukraine. Beyond the qualifying issues, this meeting illustrates the resilience of a country which, despite the war, continues to exist by football. In Wrocław, the Blues will cross a Ukrainian team supported by a people who, even far from their lands, intends to make their voice heard.
