Ukraine started to compete in major competitions in 1994 following the split of the Soviet Union. Before this all Ukraine players played for USSR. Ukraine failed to qualify for anything until 2006 despite having one of the best players in the world in Andriy Shevchenko.

Ukraine reached the play-offs three times in a row from 1998 to 2002 but lost each time and had to wait until 2006 to qualify. Ukraine had a very successful tournament reaching the quarter finals, losing out to eventual winners Italy. They failed to qualify for Euro 2008.