• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Ukraine’s Improbable Soccer Run Continues With Euros Qualification

  • The country reaches its first major soccer tournament since Russia’s invasion began.
  • Fox, Fubo, and TelevisaUnivision are set to gain a further lift in the highly anticipated event.
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

One of sport’s most remarkable—and unlikeliest—stories in years is now unfolding, and a trio of North American media companies are poised to be among the primary beneficiaries. 

Ukraine qualified for the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly known as the Euros, late Tuesday with a dramatic comeback victory over Iceland. The win clinched the country’s first qualification to a major soccer tournament since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in early ’22. A potential qualification by Ukraine to the World Cup that year fell just short with a playoff loss to Wales.

Because of the ongoing war, Ukraine’s national team has not played a home game in more than two years, staging games over that time in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia. The win carries additional resonance for Ukrainian citizens, as the Euros qualification arrives amid renewed bombing in the country by Russian forces.

“Whenever Ukrainians face difficulties but do not give up and continue to fight, Ukrainians certainly win,” the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, posted on X. 

Ukraine’s appearance in the Euros—expected to be a large-scale display of national pride—starting in June gives even more prominence to the event, which will be carried in English in the U.S. by Fox Sports and sublicensee Fubo, and in Spanish on TelevisaUnivision platforms. Currently ranked 24th in global FIFA standings, Ukraine will compete in the tournament’s Group E with Belgium (4th), Romania (45th), and Slovakia (48th). 

“Both before and after the [final qualifying] matches, we said that these victories are for our country, [our] people, the defenders who defend our freedom,” said Ukraine coach Serhiy Rebrov. “Everyone understands how important this victory is.”

Prize Money

Ukraine’s national team is also in line for a meaningful payday with the Euros qualification. UEFA finalized its prize distribution for the tournament late last year, keeping the same overall $360 million pool as the pandemic-delayed 2020 Euros. 

The country, like any other qualifier, will receive a minimum of $10 million, and could earn up to $30.5 million by winning the entire competition.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Cobh Ramblers
exclusive

Ireland’s Ramblers Latest Soccer Club to Gain U.S. Owner

The Ramblers play in the League of Ireland First Division.
Apr 6, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; The LIV Golf logo is on display along the 10th hole during the second round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.

LIV Golf’s New Leadership Reapplies for World Ranking Points

The league’s first attempt was denied in 2023.

All-Star Game Returns to Atlanta With Big Plans After 2021 Exit

The league’s jewel event is set to be a global showcase for The Battery.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’