Ukraine, Georgia & Northern Ireland: Hungary’s Opponents in the Nations League

Hungary’s ambitions of reaching the 2025 World Cup play-offs were dashed following a narrow defeat against Ireland. With that qualification path closed, the national team now shifts its focus to the UEFA Nations League this fall, preceded by international friendlies against Slovenia and Greece in the spring and summer.

Nations League Draw and Political Context

The draw for the UEFA Nations League groups took place on February 12th in Brussels, Belgium. Hungary finds itself in League B, where a particularly noteworthy fixture awaits: a clash with Ukraine. This match carries added weight, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has publicly opposed Kyiv’s potential accession to the European Union.

Did You Know? Hungary last played Ukraine in a friendly match in 1992, securing a 2–1 victory.

On the pitch, Ukraine will likely feature Anatoliy Trubin in goal. Trubin recently gained international recognition for a dramatic moment during a UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid, where he headed in a goal from a free kick, propelling Benfica to advance in the competition.

Georgia and Northern Ireland Await

Beyond Ukraine, Hungary’s group in League B includes Georgia and Northern Ireland. Georgia recently caused an upset at Euro 2024 in Germany, defeating Portugal and, in doing so, preventing Hungary from advancing to the Round of 16. This presents an opportunity for Hungary to respond. Georgia’s key player is winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, currently playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

Northern Ireland shares a history with Hungary, having been drawn in the same qualifying group for Euro 2016 – the first major international competition Hungary qualified for in 30 years. However, Northern Ireland finished above Hungary in that group, a scenario considered unlikely to repeat given the current group dynamics. Northern Ireland’s standout player, Conor Bradley, plays alongside Hungary’s Dominik Szoboszlai at Liverpool, but sees significantly less playing time.

Expert Insight: The UEFA Nations League is increasingly important for national teams, offering a secondary pathway to major tournament qualification. Success in the Nations League can provide a crucial lifeline for teams that may struggle during traditional qualifying campaigns.

Implications and Potential Outcomes

Winning League B could lead to automatic promotion to League A in the next season of the UEFA Nations League. A second-place finish would require a play-off against a third-place finisher from League A for promotion. Conversely, finishing fourth would result in direct relegation to League C, while a third-place finish would necessitate a play-off against a League C runner-up to avoid relegation.

Perhaps most significantly, winning a Nations League group – regardless of the division – could secure a spot in the Euro 2028 qualifiers play-off, should a team fail to qualify through the standard route. The current UEFA Nations League trophy holder is Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, competing within League A.

Frequently Asked Questions

What league will Hungary compete in during the UEFA Nations League?

Hungary will participate in League B of the UEFA Nations League.

Who are Hungary’s opponents in their Nations League group?

Hungary’s opponents are Ukraine, Georgia, and Northern Ireland.

What is at stake in the UEFA Nations League beyond the trophy?

Winning a Nations League group could earn a team a spot in the Euro 2028 qualifiers play-off, if they fail to qualify through traditional means.

How will Hungary’s political relationship with Ukraine impact their upcoming match in the Nations League?