Ukraine is participating for the First time in the World Cup Finals. They have taken part in two previous preliminary competitions, losing only in the play-offs. In 1997 the Ukrainian national team were beaten by Croatia 2-0 and 1-1.

4 years later they lost the crucial decider 4-1 to the eventual 2002 FIFA World Cup runners-up Germany. The team finished the group phase in second place behind Poland and were unlucky to draw Germany, undoubtedly one of the strongest team in the play-offs.

Their best wins came in 1998 and 1999. In 1998 they beat Georgia by 4-0 and a year later defeated Andorra by 4-0 again. Their heaviest defeat came in 1995 when they lost to Croatia 4-0.

In Germany they will be playing in Group H along with Spain, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia. Andriy Vorobey and Andrey Voronin along with Andriy Shevchenko are their star players.