Paramount+’s latest sports documentary follows the extreme challenges facing Ukrainian soccer club Shakhtar Donetsk as it competes in one of the biggest tournaments in the sport despite the devastation at home.
Football Must Go On is a four-part Paramount+ Original docuseries following Shakhtar Donetsk as the team competes in the 2022-2023 EUFA Champions League season. Paramount+ and CBS Sports got special behind-the-scenes access to the team, showcasing the demands of club soccer’s biggest tournament and featuring a team whose home country has been invaded by Russia in a conflict where no end is in sight.
Directed by BAFTA winner Alex Gale (Scotland 78: A Love Story), the docuseries presents a unique look at the challenges faced by Ukraine champions that “no team in modern-day sports has ever faced,” according to Paramount+. The team had to decamp to Poland, where they faced off against European giants Real Madrid and others in Warsaw stadium, the temporary home for Ukranian refugees.
“UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious annual soccer tournament in the world, filled with incredible drama, but we’ve never seen a team become the biggest story because of ongoing war in its homeland,” said Coordinating Producer Pete Radovich. “A heartfelt thank you to sporting director Darijo Srna and every staff member, player, and coach at Shakhtar Donetsk for their incredible generosity and openness in allowing us to tell their story to the world.”
Football Must Go On is a Paramount+ Original and the latest addition to Stories From The Beautiful Game. The soccer-centric series includes Destination: European Nights and Emmy-nominated Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In.
Check out the official Football Must Go On trailer, which starts streaming on Paramount+ on September 12. You’ll need a Paramount+ membership to watch the docuseries. Subscriptions start at $5.99 a month for the Paramount+ Essentials plan or sign up for Paramount+ with Showtime for $11.99 a month. Both plans come with a one-week free trial.