Joe GallopWembley Stadium (cap. 90,000) has invited more than 1,000 Ukrainians, and the families who’ve welcomed them into their homes across Britain, to attend the England v Ukraine EURO 2024 qualifying fixture on 26 March.
The stadium team worked with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) to offer the tickets 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.
A sell-out crowd in excess of 85,000 will attend the fixture, with around 4,200 Ukraine fans among them.
Wembley Stadium director Liam Boylan said, “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.”
AUGB chair Petro Rewko said, “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 are 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.”