Russia will be excluded from the World Cup qualifying draw.

The Russian national football team will not be able to participate in the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament. This is reported by Russian propagandists who claim that the team will be excluded due to security issues. The draw will take place on December 13 in Zurich, and the qualifying tournament in Europe will start in 2025 and last until 2026.

There will be no admission for the Russian national team to the World Cup qualifying draw. The team will not be able to participate in the qualifying round due to security reasons. UEFA and FIFA have not changed their stance since the suspension of the RFU. The team will not be able to compete for a spot in the World Cup.

The 2026 World Cup will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, featuring 16 national teams from Europe. In 2022, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russian national teams and clubs from participating in tournaments due to the conflict with Ukraine. The Russian national team also did not have the opportunity to participate in the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup and missed Euro 2024 and two editions of the Nations League.

The Ukrainian national team, having drawn 1:1 with Georgia, remains in fourth place in group B1. Their deficit from Georgia and Albania, who occupy the second and third places, is two points.

Group B1 Standings

1. Czech Republic - 8 points (5 matches), 7:7 (goal difference)
2. Georgia - 7 points (5 matches), 6:4
3. Albania - 7 points (5 matches), 3:4
4. Ukraine - 5 points (5 matches), 6:7

The fourth place currently held by Ukraine threatens direct relegation to Division C of the Nations League. The Czech Republic, which leads the group, has a three-point advantage over the 'blue and yellows' and wins in head-to-head matches. A key match for Ukraine will be against Albania, the result of which could determine their chances of advancing to second place in the group and a playoff for promotion.

All scenarios for Ukraine in the sixth round of the Nations League 2024/25

• Victory over Albania and a non-loss for the Czech Republic against Georgia - second place for Ukraine (playoff for promotion to Division A).
• Victory over Albania and a Georgian win over the Czech Republic - third place for Ukraine (playoff for retention in Division B).
• Draw or loss to Albania - fourth place (relegation to Division C).

At the moment, the Ukrainian national team has not yet played in the third division of the Nations League. Last season, the team nearly advanced to League A, trailing Scotland by two points.

Ukraine drew 1:1 with Georgia in the fifth round of the Nations League. The team opened the scoring in the 7th minute, but Georgia equalized in the 76th minute. The match took place in Batumi, Georgia.