After the exclusion of Russia from all competitions by FIFA and UEFA, it is clear that the Sbornaja will not start at the World Cup in Qatar either. Now the question arises: How are the last tickets for the World Cup determined? Poland would have met Russia in the play-off.
So now it’s a done deal: the world football association FIFA and the European football union UEFA have suspended Russia from all competitions because of the attack on Ukraine. Poland and Sweden had previously announced that they would not play against Russia in the play-off for the World Cup in Qatar. The Czech Republic then followed suit. However, the question now arises as to how the play-off will continue after the exclusion of “Sbornaja”. Because Russia would have met Poland on March 24th. Sweden and the Czech Republic also announced a boycott before the exclusion.
The winner of the duel between Russia and Poland would have met the winner of the duel between Sweden and the Czech Republic.
On the one hand there is the option to bring in another participant, so that four teams can compete again and the tournament tree is complete. It is possible that Poland will automatically advance to the play-off final and thus meet the winners Czech Republic against Sweden. The option of a “three-player tournament” cannot be ruled out either, although this variant seems rather unlikely.
In any case, the war in Ukraine has had no effect on Austria’s participation in the play-off. The ÖFB selection meets Wales on March 24th. In case of victory it will go to Franco Foda’s team with the winner of the semifinal duel Scotland to do against Ukraine.
