Lionesses World Cup play-off opponents: Ukraine in profile

Head coach: Iya Andrushchak

Last meeting: England 3-0 Ukraine, 9 June 2026

The Lionesses will play Ukraine for the seventh time when they meet in the second round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualification play-offs.

Sarina Wiegman’s side will face the blue and yellows over two legs in November, with the winner guaranteeing their place at next summer’s tournament in Brazil.

England boast a 100% record from their previous six meetings with Ukraine, with their two most recent victories coming in the league phase of Women’s World Cup qualifying.

A brilliant attacking display gave Wiegman’s team a 6-1 win in Turkiye in March, with all six goals coming in the second half as Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Jess Park each grabbed a brace.

In the return game at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, Stanway, Jess Carter and Beth Mead were on the scoresheet in a 3-0 victory that closed out the league phase.

The head coach

Iya Andrushchak enjoyed a successful playing career before embarking on her coaching journey.

Over the course of 20 years, she won three Ukrainian Women’s League titles and seven Ukrainian Women’s Cups, earning 58 caps as a midfielder for the national team along the way.

After retiring in 2023, she was appointed as the manager of the Vorskla under-19 team, becoming the first female head coach of a men’s team in Ukrainian football.

Andrushchak switched to Vorskla’s women’s team in 2025, before taking charge of the national team in February 2026.

Recent results

Ukraine booked their place in the round two play-off with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Slovakia, winning 3-1 in the away tie before a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture sealed their progress.

Andrushchak’s side, who are aiming to qualify for the World Cup for the first time, failed to win in the league phase, losing twice against Spain and Iceland, as well as England.

Key players to watch

Veronika Andrukhiv proved instrumental in Ukraine’s victory over Slovakia in the previous round, scoring in both the home and away leg.

The 30-year-old midfield plays her club football for Metalist 1925 Kharkiv, who won Ukraine’s second tier last season, and has 68 caps to her name.