Ukraine vs Belgium EURO 2024 Group E Matchday 3 preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, possible line-ups

Ukraine and Belgium meet to conclude their UEFA EURO 2024 Group E campaigns on Wednesday 26 June.

Where to watch Ukraine vs Belgium on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA EURO 2024 broadcast partner(s) here. 

What do you need to know?

Ukraine and Belgium have chosen quite the stage for their first ever international meeting. Both these sides had a dispiriting start in Group E, with Ukraine comprehensively beaten by a lively Romania team, and Belgium unexpectedly losing to Slovakia, but wins for both on Matchday 2 have left the situation in the section remarkably tight with all four nations tied on three points. The maths, however, is pretty simple; any side that wins is guaranteed a top-two finish. If everyone draws, it gets complicated.

Their nerve tested and not found wanting in their comeback victory over Slovakia, Ukraine can call on Belgian league experience with Serhiy Sydorchuk (Westerlo), Roman Yaremchuk (Gent, Club Brugge), Bogdan Mykhaylichenko (Anderlecht) and Ruslan Malinovskyi (Genk) all having played in Belgium. Moreover, Oleksandr Zinchenko knows two of Belgium's star men well; he plays at Arsenal with Leandro Trossard and previously spent six years at Man City alongside Kevin De Bruyne.

Possible line-ups

Ukraine: Trubin; Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Svatok, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Yarmolenko, Shaparenko, Brazhko, Mudryk; Yaremchuk
Misses next match if booked: Konoplia, Yaremchuk

Belgium: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Onana, De Bruyne; Doku, Lukaku, Bakayoko
Suspended: Lukébakio
Misses next match if booked: Mangala, Tielemans

Form guide

Ukraine:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WLWLDW

Belgium:
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WLWWDD

Expert predictions

Bogdan Buga, Ukraine reporter

Ukraine's hopes of guaranteed qualification hinge on victory, as any other result leaves them dependent on the Romania vs Slovakia game. Coach Serhiy Rebrov is pondering a return to the 5-4-1 formation that he has previously deployed against teams of Belgium's stature. Vitaliy Mykolenko's return to full training offers new options, and both his and Viktor Tsygankov's fitness will be crucial for the Synio-Zhovti.

David D'Hondt, Belgium reporter

The Red Devils bared their teeth against Romania and sent out a reminder to the rest of the teams at EURO 2024 that when Belgium click, they are a terrifying prospect. Kevin De Bruyne inspired his side to a crucial 2-0 success, but Ukraine are also buoyant after a losing start and need the three points, too. Tedesco's squad are largely fit, but he will be without the injured Axel Witsel and the suspended Dodi Lukébakio.

What the coaches say

Serhiy Rebrov, Ukraine coach: "Belgium are a very strong side. Before our group started, everyone knew Belgium were the favourites. In this competition, everything is possible. We have to think about how to play against this team. We have to be focused, because we have to win. We need to find the right balance. Every player has to understand we cannot just have players who defend and players who attack. It's important that all the players understand their roles and play for each other. We need to get into the same mindset we had at the end of the game against Slovakia."

Domenico Tedesco, Belgium coach: "I can't tell you the recipe for drawing a game: we only play to win. We won't worry about permutations. If it comes to the last ten minutes or so, we know what to do to hang on to a result, but from the start there is no confusion: we are setting out to win it. I would be lying if I said this is just any old stadium and location for me. I grew up here; the first game I went to watch was a VfB [Stuttgart] game."