Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden Refuse to Play World Cup Qualifying Playoffs in Russia [View all]
he Poland, Czech Republic and Sweden soccer federations have issued a joint statement saying they will “not consider traveling to Russia” for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers given the current conflict in Ukraine.
On March 24, Russia and Poland are set to meet in Moscow as part of the new UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff format that features three four-team brackets for the region's final three World Cup berths in Qatar. The winner of Russia-Poland will go on to face the winner of Sweden vs. Czech Republic with a spot in the World Cup on the line.
And if Russia wins its semifinal against Poland, that critical match for a trip to Qatar is also set to take place in Moscow.
“Based on the current alarming development in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including the security situation, the Football Associations of Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic express their firm position that the playoff matches to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for 24 and 29 March 2022, should not be played in the territory of the Russian Federation," the statement read.
https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/02/24/poland-czech-republic-sweden-russia-world-cup-qualifying-playoffs
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