The head coach of the Ukrainian national team, Serhiy Rebrov, has confirmed on UPL TV that Ukraine will not play its potential World Cup play-off “home” matches in Poland. The decision comes for an obvious reason — the draw has paired Ukraine with a possible meeting against Poland, making the idea of hosting a crucial match on Polish soil far from fair.

“If we move forward, we definitely won’t play a home match against Poland in Poland. That’s simply not normal. Right now we’re choosing, we’re deciding,” Rebrov explained.

The coach added that the team is looking for a location where both of its “home” fixtures can be played without constant travel interruptions. “I mean both home matches. We don’t need to travel all the time — you know what the logistics are like. I believe that if we choose a stadium and a country, that’s where both matches should take place,” said Rebrov.

To reach the FIFA World Cup, Ukraine must first overcome Sweden in the opening play-off round, and then face the winner of the Poland vs. Albania clash. The stakes could not be higher — and Ukraine is determined not to start the decisive battles at a disadvantage.