Ukraine has lost the chance for a direct place in the group stage of the Champions League.

Ukraine retains the chance for the group stage of the Champions League
Ukraine retains the chance for the group stage of the Champions League

Ukraine did not receive an automatic ticket to the main round of the Champions League due to the victory of 'Olympiacos' in the Greek championship.

In the 2025/26 season, Ukraine will have only one representative in the Champions League - the champion of Ukraine, who will go through the second qualifying round.

To gain an additional ticket to the main round of the Champions League, Ukraine needed to fulfill three conditions: the championship of 'Shakhtar', the victory of the team in the Champions League, and first place in the coefficients table among clubs ranked from 11th to 55th places.

Only three clubs exceeded 'Shakhtar' in the coefficients table: 'Rangers', 'Dinamo' Zagreb, and 'Olympiacos'. And specifically, 'Olympiacos' received a direct ticket to the main round of the Champions League.

Ukraine has not had an automatic ticket to the main round of the Champions League for 17 years. 'Shakhtar' and 'Dinamo' started their performances from the qualification in the 2008/09 season, but both advanced to the group stage.

Currently, 'Shakhtar' can obtain a ticket to the main round of the Europa League if they become the holder of the Ukrainian Cup or finish in second place in the UPL, if the winner of the Conference League advances to the Europa League or Champions League through the national championship, and if they become the highest-ranked team among those that do not automatically qualify for the main round of the Europa League.

'Brugge' and 'Dinamo' Zagreb also have the opportunity to obtain an automatic ticket to the main round of the tournament.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that Roman Yaremchuk became the champion of Greece as part of 'Olympiacos'.


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