Despite being sidelined in Lyon’s recent clash with AS Monaco due to Achilles tendon discomfort, Roman Yaremchuk was back in action at Wednesday’s pre-match training session, ahead of Ukraine’s pivotal World Cup 2026 qualifying play-off semi-final against Sweden on Thursday (21:00 CET).

The 30-year-old striker could now face the most important match of his international career. Having frequently lost his place as Ukraine’s starting forward, Yaremchuk is set to step in as the team’s number nine, filling in for Artem Dovbyk Serhiy Rebrov, trying to reassure fans about Yaremchuk’s availability.

Yaremchuk missed the Lyon–Monaco match last weekend after suffering an Achilles tendon knock. “He was hit in the Achilles tendon before the match. We waited until the last moment to see if there was any improvement, but he couldn’t play,” explained Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca at a press conference.

Ukraine’s attack searches for a saviour

The setback adds to Ukraine’s injury woes, as they are already without Dovbyk, captain “,”Ukrainian footballer”], and Mykhaylo Mudryk eventually joined Oleksandr Zubkov striker is expected to lead the attack ahead of Vladyslav Vanat

A Status to Live Up To

On loan from Olympiacos FC, Roman Yaremchuk carries enormous responsibility. At 30, he is tasked with guiding Ukraine to only their second-ever World Cup qualification, two decades after their debut in 2006.

The striker’s recent form in Ligue 1 has been underwhelming; since arriving in France at the end of the transfer window, he has scored just once, in a Coupe de France tie against RC Lens. His struggles have mirrored his international output, as a calf injury left him goalless for Ukraine in 2025. Over time, he has slipped down the pecking order, even starting on the bench in Ukraine’s final group-stage game against Iceland last November.

In fact, one must look back to November 19, 2024, for his last goal for the Blue & Yellow, scored in a UEFA Nations League match against Albania.

Now, stepping in due to Artem Dovbykaremchuk faces a monumental challenge against Sweden this Thursday. The stakes go beyond football: coach Serhiy Rebrov has repeatedly emphasized the match’s significance for all of Ukraine, offering a moment of pride amid a war that has gripped the country for four years.

Born in Lviv, a western Ukrainian city recently targeted by Russian bombings despite typically being spared, Yaremchuk will carry not just the hopes of his team, but the weight of national morale—an extra motivation as he leads the attack.