Briefly about the decision
The Executive Committee of the Ukrainian Association of Football officially selected Iia Andrushchak as the new head coach of the Ukraine women's national team. The appointment came after the expiration of Volodymyr Pyatenko's contract; the information was confirmed at a press conference by UAF president Andriy Shevchenko, reports UNN.
What was said officially
“The Ukraine women's national team is beginning its journey to the World Cup. The girls have a difficult group — Spain, England and Iceland. I want to thank the former coach, who brought the team into Division A of the Nations League, Volodymyr Pyatenko. He did a very good job, but we are moving forward. This cycle the women's national team will start with a new head coach. Iia Andrushchak.”
— Andriy Shevchenko, president of the UAF
Coach profile: what her arrival brings to the team
Iia Andrushchak — 38 years old, a former midfielder of the national team (58 matches, 2 goals). After ending her playing career she worked with youth teams: in 2023–2024 she headed Vorskla's U-19, and in 2025 she became the head coach of the women's club Vorskla. She is also known for being the first in Ukraine to lead a men's team — a fact that underscores her adaptability across different football environments.
“For me this is a great responsibility to make this team competitive on the European stage, recognizable, and respected in the world and in Europe. Now UEFA and FIFA are paying a lot of attention to the development of women's football. I thank the UAF for supporting this development and these initiatives. I wish us all to be on trend in women's football in the coming years.”
— Iia Andrushchak, head coach of the Ukraine women's national team
Why this decision matters
Andrushchak's appointment comes at a critical moment: Ukraine will play in League A of the Nations League and was drawn into the same World Cup qualifying group with strong opponents — Spain and England, as well as Iceland. This means a tight schedule, a high level of opponents and minimal time for experimentation. Strategically, the UAF is betting on a coach who combines familiarity with the national game and experience working with youth.
Schedule and logistics
The first matches under Andrushchak's leadership will take place in Antalya (Mardan Stadium) with the support of the Turkish Football Federation and in agreement with UEFA. The Group A3 schedule is as follows:
- 03.03.2026 — Ukraine — England;
- 07.03.2026 — Ukraine — Spain;
- 14.04.2026 — Iceland — Ukraine;
- 18.04.2026 — Spain — Ukraine;
- 05.06.2026 — Ukraine — Iceland;
- 09.06.2026 — England — Ukraine.
What to expect and what to watch
In the coming months the key tasks are: rapid tactical identification of the squad, integration of young players from domestic clubs and stabilization of physical readiness. An important factor is the UAF's support and the context in which UEFA and FIFA are increasing their focus on women's football: this creates additional opportunities for international interest, investment and friendly matches.
Short forecast
The appointment of Andrushchak is a bet on development and adaptability. Given the toughness of the group, success will be measured not only by points but also by progress in play and personnel decisions. Whether the new coaching approach will turn ambitions into concrete results is a question for the coming months for fans, the federation and partners.
Sources: Ukrainian Association of Football (Executive Committee decision), UAF press conference (Andriy Shevchenko), UNN reports.
