Hungary vs Ukraine Prediction & Preview - UEFA Nations League
Hungary and Ukraine open their UEFA Nations League campaigns against each other on Friday 25 September 2026, with both sides looking to start Group B2 with a result rather than a repeat of the stalemates and setbacks that have marked their recent international breaks.
- Fixture: Hungary vs Ukraine
- Competition: UEFA Nations League
- Date: Friday, 25 September 2026
- Kick-off: 19:45 BST
- Venue: Puskás Aréna, Budapest
You can follow the build-up and get involved on the match page.
Hungary go into it unbeaten but untested
Marco Rossi's side have not lost in their last four internationals, but the shape of that run is mixed. Two goalless draws in March, 0-0 with Greece and 0-0 with Slovenia, were followed by wins in June: 2-1 over Finland and 3-1 over Kazakhstan. Both June opponents sit well below Hungary in the rankings, so the form line reads as solid rather than as proof Rossi's team can break down a side of Ukraine's level.
Ukraine's results have swung between extremes
Ukraine's last competitive outing ended in a heavy 1-3 home defeat to Sweden in World Cup qualifying back in March. Since then they have won both friendlies played: 1-0 against Albania and 2-0 away at Poland. That gives Ukraine the more recent winning form of the two sides, even if the qualifying defeat shows what happens when they meet stronger opposition.
Hungary have lost two forward options
Hungary go into the game without Barnabás Varga, who picked up a thigh injury playing for AEK Athens and has been replaced in the squad by Donát Barány. Roland Sallai has also withdrawn after tearing a thigh muscle in training. Losing both means Rossi is short of attacking options who were first choice coming into this camp.
Ukraine have made squad changes of their own
Ukraine have been without Artem Dovbyk and Oleksandr Andriievskyi for this camp, Dovbyk through a club injury and Andriievskyi after an appendectomy, with Oleksandr Pikhalionok and Ihor Krasnopir called up in their place. Midfielder Yegor Yarmolyuk has also been ruled out with a recurring leg problem. Like Hungary, Ukraine arrive with gaps in the squad rather than a first-choice XI.
Hungary vs Ukraine prediction
Our call is a draw between Hungary and Ukraine in this UEFA Nations League opener. Hungary have not lost in four games but have not had to break down a side of Ukraine's quality either, and now go into the match without Varga and Sallai. Ukraine bring better recent form, having won their last two friendlies, but their most recent result against a stronger side was a 1-3 defeat, and they too are missing key personnel in Dovbyk and Andriievskyi.
Our prediction: Hungary 1-1 Ukraine
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