Champions League Blow: Ukraine Misses Out on Group Stage for First Time in 20 Years

For the first time in two decades, there will be no Ukrainian club in the UEFA Champions League group stage. This comes after Dynamo Kyiv were eliminated in the third qualifying round of the 2025/26 competition, suffering back-to-back defeats against Cypriot side Pafos FC (0-1 away, 0-2 at home).

This marks the end of a historic run. The last time Ukraine failed to place a team in the Champions League proper was the 2005/06 season. That year, Dynamo were knocked out by Swiss side FC Thun on away goals (2-2; 0-1), while Shakhtar Donetsk fell to Inter Milan (0-2; 1-1) and dropped into the UEFA Cup.

Despite the setback, Ukrainian football still has representation in European competitions this season. Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk will now look to regroup in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, while Polissya Zhytomyr continue their journey in the UEFA Europa Conference League.