Israel and Ukraine may become rivals: Brussels will bring the teams together in the new Nations League

The European football cycle gets a starting point. On February 12 in Brussels, the draw for the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 will take place, and it will determine whether the paths of the national teams of Israel and Ukraine will cross this fall.

The probability of such a scenario is high. Both teams are in the same division.

Where Ukraine will be before the distribution

The Ukrainian national football team is in the second pot of Division B. This automatically means a meeting with someone from the first, third, and fourth pots.

From the first pot, the loudest option could be the Israeli national football team.

For the coaching staff led by Serhiy Rebrov, this scenario creates a separate level of preparation. Both logistical and emotional.

Possible combinations

First pot: Israel, Scotland, Hungary, Poland.

Third: Slovenia, Georgia, Ireland, Romania.

Fourth: Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Kosovo.

Each group has its own rhythm, its own flights, its own playing styles.

What’s at stake in this tournament

The formula is simple but tough.

The winner is promoted. Second place goes to the playoffs for promotion. Third — playoffs for survival. Fourth drops to Division C.

Simultaneously, the tournament forms the future qualification geography for the 2028 European Championship. Mistakes in the fall of 2026 will echo for a long time.

In Israel, this is approached with utmost pragmatism. Potential matches against Ukraine mean interest from the Russian-speaking audience, additional media attention, and increased infrastructure demands.

That’s why NAnews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency considers the draw as an event beyond sports: it affects the television market, security, tourism, and international contacts.

When the teams will take the field

The group stage games are scheduled from September 24 to November 17, 2026.

After a break — playoffs in the spring and summer of 2027.

A long distance where much can change: lineups, forms, even the ambitions of federations. But the results will remain in the tables.

Why the intrigue is real

Israel and Ukraine are increasingly finding themselves close in European grids. Ratings have converged, divisions coincide.

Now the question is in the balls that will be revealed in Brussels.

If this pair is drawn, the fall will gain additional political and media context. If not, the meeting will simply be postponed to the next cycle.

There are few options. The wait is almost over.