More than 1000 Ukrainians and the families who’ve welcomed them into their homes across Britain, will attend the England v Ukraine EURO 2024 qualifying fixture at Wembley Stadium, connected by EE, on Sunday 26 March.
They have been invited to the game as special guests of the FA and Wembley Stadium. The stadium team worked with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) to offer the tickets as a thank you to the sponsor families supporting Ukrainians who have fled to Britain following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Thousands of people across the UK registered their interest to host people fleeing the war under the government’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme, when it launched in March last year. Many are now providing a safe and secure space for the 117,000 Ukrainians who are still unable to return home to Ukraine, as the war continues into its second year.
Petro Rewko, Chair of AUGB commented: “Ukrainians everywhere have been overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion, which has allowed them to flee Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and find a safe haven in Great Britain to start to rebuild their lives.
“We're immensely grateful to the FA and Wembley Stadium for donating tickets to displaced Ukrainians. They will, of course, be cheering Ukraine, but they will also be celebrating the England team and their supporters for reaching out a hand of true friendship and making the match such a memorable one for them.”
A sell-out crowd in excess of 85,000 will attend the fixture, with around 4200 Ukraine fans among them.
Lillia Mamchur will be attending the game with her family, and UK sponsors. She said: “We are all looking forward to a great game. Times are very hard at the moment, but we see, and feel, the support of the country for Ukraine and Ukrainians.
“This will be our first ever visit to Wembley Stadium and one of the happiest events in the life of my family.”
Sports Minister Stuart Andrew added: "Over the past year, the UK has stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine. Thousands of people have played their part by generously welcoming Ukrainians into their homes, and we continue to do all we can to support all those displaced because of Putin's illegal war.
"This EURO 2024 qualifier will be a poignant and emotional occasion and I applaud the FA and the team at Wembley Stadium for their kind gesture."
Levelling up Secretary, Michael Gove said: “This month marks the one-year anniversary of the first person arriving in the UK under our Homes For Ukraine Scheme.
“Since then, over 117,000 Ukrainians have been brought to safety here and it is fitting that some of them and their UK sponsors will be special guests at Wembley.
“I deeply admire the immense bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people and the generosity of the British public who have opened their hearts and their homes.”
Liam Boylan, Wembley Stadium director, added: “Football has been united in its support for Ukraine and condemnation of the invasion by Russian forces.
“The invitation to Wembley Stadium is a reaffirmation of our solidarity with Ukrainian supporters currently living here in the UK, and a thank you to all those Britons who have opened up their homes to help them.”
The game will mark England’s first home fixture of their EURO 2024 qualifying campaign. England last met Ukraine in the quarter final of EURO 2020 when the Three Lions won that game 4-0 thanks to goals from Harry Kane (2), Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson.
