Ukraine vs Northern Ireland meet in a key UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Group B2 fixture on Friday, 2 October, with both teams level on four points after their opening two matches.
Ukraine began their campaign with a 1-0 win over Hungary before drawing 0-0 with Georgia, while Northern Ireland beat Georgia 1-0 and followed that result with a goalless draw against Hungary. That leaves little separating the sides heading into their meeting in Trnava.
Follow SP Score for the Ukraine vs Northern Ireland live score, confirmed lineups, match events and changing statistics as the game develops.
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland match details
| Fixture | Ukraine vs Northern Ireland |
| Date | Friday, 2 October 2026 |
| Competition | UEFA Nations League 2026/27 |
| League / Group | League B – Group B2 |
| Venue | Štadión Antona Malatinského, Trnava, Slovakia |
| Kick-off | 19:45 SAST |
| Group opponents | Hungary and Georgia |
Although Ukraine are the designated home team, the fixture is being played in Slovakia. Štadión Antona Malatinského in Trnava will also host Ukraine’s next Nations League fixture against Hungary.
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READ ALSO: Georgia vs Northern Ireland: Nations League Preview, H2H & Team News
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland form and Group B2 standings
Ukraine and Northern Ireland have followed almost identical paths through the opening two rounds.
Ukraine started with a 1-0 away victory over Hungary before being held to a 0-0 draw by Georgia. Northern Ireland also opened with a 1-0 away win, beating Georgia, before drawing 0-0 against Hungary.
That means both sides have collected four points from two matches, scored once and are yet to concede in the competition.
| Team | P | W | D | L | Goals | Pts |
| Northern Ireland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1-0 | 4 |
| Ukraine | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1-0 | 4 |
| Hungary | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0-1 | 1 |
| Georgia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0-1 | 1 |
With the group leaders meeting directly, the result in Trnava could become important as the Nations League schedule moves into its second half.
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland team news
Ukraine have had to make changes during the current international window.
Artem Dovbyk withdrew from the original squad because of injury, while Oleksandr Andrievskyi was also unavailable. Oleksandr Pihalonyk and Ihor Krasnoper were subsequently called into the squad.
Ukraine were dealt another setback ahead of the Northern Ireland match when defender Vitaliy Mykolenko left the national-team camp because of injury and returned to Everton for recovery.
The wider Ukraine squad includes Anatoliy Trubin, Illia Zabarnyi, Mykola Matviyenko, Georgiy Sudakov, Viktor Tsygankov, Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Yaremchuk and Vladyslav Vanat.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill named a 28-player squad for the Nations League matches against Georgia, Hungary and Ukraine.
Daniel Ballard, Paddy McNair, Dion Charles, Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Conor Hazard were among the players returning to the squad. Alistair McCann, Brad Lyons and Conor Bradley were unavailable through injury when the squad was announced.
The Ukraine vs Northern Ireland lineups will only be confirmed closer to kick-off. Check SP Score for the starting XIs once they are officially released.
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland H2H
Ukraine and Northern Ireland have met six times at senior international level before this fixture.
Ukraine hold the stronger overall record with three wins, Northern Ireland have won once, and two matches have ended level. Across those six meetings, Ukraine scored four goals and Northern Ireland scored three.
One of the most memorable meetings came at UEFA EURO 2016.
Northern Ireland defeated Ukraine 2-0 in Lyon, with Gareth McAuley opening the scoring before Niall McGinn added a second late in the match.
The teams last met before this Nations League campaign in a June 2021 friendly, which Ukraine won 1-0.
The historical record provides context, but the current Group B2 campaign offers a more immediate measure of the two teams: both enter this fixture unbeaten and without conceding a goal.
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland lineups and key players
Ukraine’s confirmed starting XI will determine how Andrea Maldera sets up his side after rotating personnel during the opening Nations League matches.
Players such as Georgiy Sudakov and Viktor Tsygankov can influence Ukraine’s attacking play through midfield and wide areas, while Illia Zabarnyi remains an important presence in defence.
Northern Ireland have relied heavily on organisation and defensive discipline under Michael O’Neill. Their younger squad also contains players capable of carrying the ball forward quickly when possession changes.
Shea Charles scored the late winner against Georgia in Northern Ireland’s opening Group B2 fixture, while Daniel Ballard and Trai Hume are among the players who can provide physical strength in defensive areas.
Confirmed Ukraine vs Northern Ireland lineups should be checked shortly before kick-off rather than relying on projected starting XIs.
Key match factors to watch
The opening results suggest this could be a match where small moments matter.
Ukraine’s control in possession
Ukraine will look for ways to move Northern Ireland’s defensive shape and create space between the lines. Their ability to turn possession into clear chances will be one of the main areas to watch.
Northern Ireland’s defensive structure
Northern Ireland have not conceded in their first two Nations League matches. Keeping their shape when Ukraine have sustained possession could again be important.
Set pieces
With both sides producing low-scoring games so far, corners and free kicks could provide valuable attacking opportunities.
Midfield battle
Control of second balls and midfield transitions could determine which side spends more time attacking. Neither team has given opponents much space during the opening rounds.
First goal
Both teams enter the match having scored once and conceded none. If either side finds an early breakthrough, the tactical shape of the game could change considerably.
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READ ALSO: Denmark vs Portugal: Nations League Team News, H2H & Match Guide
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland live score and match updates
The Ukraine vs Northern Ireland live score, starting lineups and match statistics will change throughout the fixture.
Use SP Score to follow the score, match events, team statistics and confirmed lineups without relying on information fixed at the time this preview was published.
After the final whistle, the completed Ukraine vs Northern Ireland result and match information can also be checked through SP Score.
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland FAQs
When is Ukraine vs Northern Ireland?
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland takes place on Friday, 2 October 2026 in the UEFA Nations League.
What time is Ukraine vs Northern Ireland?
The match kicks off at 19:45 SAST.
Where is Ukraine vs Northern Ireland being played?
The fixture will be played at Štadión Antona Malatinského in Trnava, Slovakia.
What group are Ukraine and Northern Ireland in?
Ukraine and Northern Ireland compete in UEFA Nations League B Group B2 alongside Hungary and Georgia.
What is the Ukraine vs Northern Ireland H2H record?
Before this fixture, the teams had met six times. Ukraine recorded three wins, Northern Ireland one, while two matches ended in draws.
Who won Ukraine vs Northern Ireland at EURO 2016?
Northern Ireland defeated Ukraine 2-0 at EURO 2016, with Gareth McAuley and Niall McGinn scoring.
Where can I follow Ukraine vs Northern Ireland live?
Follow SP Score for the live score, confirmed lineups, match events and changing statistics.
Where can I find Ukraine vs Northern Ireland odds?
Current football markets and available odds can be checked through the SportPesa South Africa UEFA Nations League section before the match.
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland match guide
Ukraine vs Northern Ireland brings together the two unbeaten teams at the top of Nations League Group B2 after the opening two rounds. Both have four points, both have scored once and neither has conceded.
Ukraine’s ability to break down Northern Ireland’s defensive structure, Northern Ireland’s threat from transitions and set pieces, and the midfield battle are among the main areas to watch in Trnava.
For the confirmed Ukraine vs Northern Ireland lineups, live score, match statistics and final result, follow SP Score as the action unfolds.
