The reason for this is the postponement of the play-off semifinals between Scotland and Ukraine, which FIFA confirmed on Tuesday. Austria meets Wales in Cardiff on March 24th. The winner was to play at home against Scotland or Ukraine five days later for a place at the World Cup. Because of the Ukraine war, this duel will not take place until June.
The date for Austria’s guest performance in Wales remains unaffected by the postponement. On March 29th, instead of a possible play-off final, a friendly will be played in Vienna. According to ÖFB information, the opponent should be announced promptly on Tuesday evening. The meeting is to be dedicated to an aid campaign for Ukraine. FIFA also intends to announce the exact dates for Ukraine’s duel with Scotland and the subsequent play-off final in the near future.
It had already become apparent in the past few days that the Ukraine game in Scotland might not be able to take place as planned due to hostilities in the Eastern European country. The Ukrainian association had applied to world governing body FIFA last week after Russia’s invasion to postpone the game in Glasgow. The application was unanimously approved by all parties concerned – FIFA, the continental association UEFA and the four national associations concerned.
“Of course we support this joint decision out of solidarity with Ukraine,” emphasized ÖFB President Gerhard Milletich in an association broadcast. “The incredible situation in Ukraine requires flexibility and the will to find a common solution, even if it isn’t ideal.” ÖFB team boss Franco Foda saw it similarly. “In this situation, sporting interests take a back seat,” said the German. “We accept the decision and will adapt to the new situation as best we can.”
Most of the Ukrainian internationals are under contract at home with top clubs Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk. However, the championship is currently suspended due to the war.
Due to the decision to postpone play-off path A, only two of the three World Cup tickets still open in Europe will be awarded to Qatar in March. When the World Cup groups are drawn on April 1 in Doha, three of the 32 participants have not yet been determined. In addition to the one from Europe, the two winners of the intercontinental play-offs, which will also be held in June, are missing. If Austria wins in Wales, the ÖFB selection will be drawn as a possible World Cup participant.
The responsible FIFA office also made a decision on play-off path B, in which Russia would have been involved. Poland, who were actually opponents of the Russians in Moscow on March 24, received a bye after all Russian teams were excluded from FIFA and UEFA competitions for the semi-finals there at the end of February. In the final, the Poles meet the winners from Sweden against the Czech Republic. Russia has filed a lawsuit against the exclusion of its teams before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Source: Nachrichten
