The exit of Kyiv's Dynamo from the qualification round of the 2025/26 Champions League marks a significant moment for Ukrainian football.

On August 12, the team failed to turn the tables against Paphos in the third qualifying round, suffering a 0:2 defeat and ending its Champions League campaign.

As the only Ukrainian representative in the tournament, this result halts a 20-year tradition of participation by Ukrainian clubs in the Champions League.

For the first time since the 2005/06 season, there will be no Ukrainian teams in the group stage of the top European competition. Back then, Dynamo and Shakhtar were eliminated by Swiss team Thun and Italian club Inter, respectively.

However, Dynamo's European journey is not over yet. The team will continue in the Europa League, where they will face the winner of the match between Hamrun Spartans (Malta) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) in the playoff round.

Shakhtar may also join Dynamo at this stage. Arda Turan's team will play against Turkish Samsunspor if they can overcome Panathinaikos in the third qualifying round. The first match ended in a goalless draw, and the return match is scheduled for August 14 at 21:00 Kyiv time.