Scotland set for March friendlies after FIFA confirm Ukraine World Cup play-off postponement

Football’s world governing body FIFA has confirmed that Scotland’s World Cup play-off against Ukraine has been postponed.

The teams were scheduled to meet at Hampden on March 24 but the crucial match has now been moved to June.

Scotland or Ukraine will play the winners of the Wales-Austria semi-final in the same June window to determine a place at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

The Ukrainian FA had asked FIFA and UEFA for the play-off to be delayed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the governing bodies agreed to their request.

FIFA said in a statement: “On March 3 2022, the Ukrainian Association of Football wrote to FIFA requesting that its qualification match(es) be rescheduled owing to the impossibility of organising both the travel and training of a team under the current circumstances.

“Following consultation with UEFA and the four participating member associations in Path A of the European qualifying play-offs, it was unanimously agreed in the spirit of solidarity to accept this request.”

The Scottish Football Association is now looking to arrange a replacement fixture on March 24. The governing body also said that Scotland will play an away friendly on March 29 against the losing side in the Wales v Austria play-off.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, the SFA said: “The Scottish FA notes the decision of the FIFA Organising Committee to postpone the FIFA World Cup Play-Off semi-final against Ukraine, originally scheduled to take place on 24 March, until June.

“Given the current situation in Ukraine we support the decision to uphold the request to postpone the match and reiterate our message of solidarity to our friends and colleagues within the Ukrainian Association of Football.

“We now await confirmation from UEFA on the amended fixture schedule, including any displaced UEFA Nations League fixtures, and will comment further at that time.

“In the meantime, we are in discussions to organise a replacement fixture on 24 March and will update supporters – especially those who have purchased tickets for the play-off semi-final and Nations League package – as soon as we have more information.”

The SFA says tickets purchased for the original March 24 fixture date against Ukraine at Hampden will remain valid for the rescheduled June date, which has yet to be confirmed by UEFA.

Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive: “In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is the correct decision by FIFA to postpone our play-off, as requested by the Ukrainian Association of Football.

“The importance and significance of football is greatly diminished in a time of war and our thoughts are with those Ukrainian civilians affected by the conflict.”