EXCLUSIVE: Ukraine's Minister of Sports on hopes and pressures of possible World Cup qualification

Ukraine has been resisting a Russian invasion for more than four years, and it has set up a temporary base for its national football squad in Valencia, Spain.

"However, even though we play our matches in Spain, our entire country stands behind the team," explains Bidnyi to Livesport Daily, which is the podcast linked to the Czech edition of Flashscore.

The Minister for Youth and Sports views resilience as the key asset of the squad. "It shines through in all our sportspeople. During the Olympic opening in Milano, the crowd gave us a standing ovation... Such reactions occur at every event we join. People recognise the tough conditions our competitors face in training, yet we keep securing victories in major global contests," he explains.

Should Ukraine advance via the play-offs, it would mark just their second appearance at the World Cup, following the one in 2006. In a nation enduring ongoing armed conflict, this achievement would deliver a massive morale lift to supporters.

"Football enjoys immense popularity across Ukraine. It means a great deal to our followers, generating tremendous excitement. Numerous individuals will cheer for the side, with high hopes riding on them," states Bidnyi.

The backing from a country ravaged by war is intense, yet it might also intensify the strain. "Every player senses the encouragement, along with the duty it brings," Bidnyi notes. "I speak regularly with various team members, and they mention the current stress feels much harder to manage. Our military personnel watch us, the public watches us, placing their faith in us. This represents a unique occasion," he continues.

Bidnyi feels that triumphs by Ukrainian sports figures and squads play a vital role in highlighting the realities within the nation.

"Our sportspeople serve as Ukraine's finest representatives," declares the minister. "There are plenty of instances where they highlight crucial details about Ukraine's situation to global audiences, including those not typically engaged with politics. It forms an essential avenue for sharing such insights," he wraps up.