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When Russia invaded Ukraine in February, head coach Oleksandr Petrakov attempted to enlist with Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Force, he told TIME.
But he was turned away due to his age and lack of military skills. Military officials reportedly told him, “Instead, you better bring us to the World Cup.”
For the first time in over a decade, the men’s national team might finally have an opportunity. The team has qualified for just one World Cup since becoming a FIFA member in 1992 — in 2006 the Blue and Yellow made it to the quarter-finals, falling to eventual-champion Italy.
On Wednesday, they take on Scotland in the UEFA Second Round Path A semi-final.
If they advance, they’d face Wales on Sunday for a very unexpected place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — which would be a massive morale boost for the country.
“The Ukrainian team have our own dream,” midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko told the Guardian. “We want to go to the World Cup, to give these incredible emotions to the people, because Ukrainians deserve it so much at this moment.”
“It’s a very big responsibility,” Petrakov said. “I feel it more as the [Scotland] game approaches. Many of our fans are soldiers in the Ukrainian army.”
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