World Cup Qualification
The World Cup play-off between Scotland and Ukraine could not take place until June, according to British media. Related reports on Monday included a statement by Shakhtar Donetsk’s sporting director Dario Srna that UEFA President Aleksandar Ceferin had confirmed the plan to him. However, FIFA is responsible for the World Cup qualification. What a possible postponement means for Austria is open.
The ÖFB team contests its play-off semi-final in Cardiff against Wales. The winner of the game on 24 March would meet the winner between Scotland and Ukraine five days later. After the outbreak of war in Ukraine, however, the association asked for the game in Glasgow to be postponed. Most of the Ukrainian team players are under contract with Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk. The championship is currently suspended.
Srna had contacted Ceferin to arrange a safe departure for the Shakhtar players. “He (Ceferin) told me that the game between Ukraine and Scotland will be postponed to June,” explained the ex-Croatian international. In any case, Scotland would meet Ukraine in the Nations League on June 7th.
What that means for Wales against Austria is currently difficult to assess. The ÖFB is still in contact with FIFA. To date, nothing has changed in the schedule for the game in Cardiff. In any case, the draw for the World Cup groups is already scheduled for April 1 in Doha. The finals in Qatar start on November 21st.
