Scotland, Wales and Ukraine learn rearranged World Cup play-off dates

Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi-final at home to Ukraine has been rescheduled for June 1.

The match was due to take place in March, but was postponed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

FIFA announced the new date on Thursday afternoon. The sport’s world governing body also confirmed that the winners of that match would face Wales in Cardiff for a place in the final in Qatar on June 5.

Whoever qualifies will be in a final group alongside England, the United States and Iran.

The new dates for the World Cup play-off matches have led to the rescheduling of the affected Nations League matches to be played in June and September.

Wales’s away game to Poland was brought forward from June 3 to June 1, while their home game against the Netherlands was pushed back two days to June 8.

The Dragons’ home game against Belgium has been pushed back a day to June 11, while the away game against the Netherlands has also been pushed back a day to June 14.

Scotland’s first scheduled Nations League game at home to Armenia has been moved from June 4 to 8, while the home fixture with Ukraine will now take place on September 21 instead of June 7.

Scotland’s games against the Republic of Ireland on June 11 and Armenia on June 14 have not changed, meaning Steve Clarke’s side could face up to five games in the June window.

The home game against the Irish, originally scheduled for September 23, was pushed back a day, as was the away game against Ukraine, which is now scheduled for September 27.

The Republic will receive Armenia on June 4, the date on which Eastern Europeans were due to travel to Scotland and the Irish would receive Ukraine. The Republic of Ireland vs Ukraine match will now be played on June 8.

Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell welcomed the confirmation of the revised calendar, saying: “Firstly, it will be great to be able to welcome Ukraine to Hampden Park in June.

“While there will understandably be two groups of competitive players who are committed to taking another step towards World Cup qualification, we also understand and appreciate the larger context in which the match will take place.

“We have been consistent throughout that postponing the original tie was the right thing to do and the only thing we could do and we look forward to hosting Ukraine at Hampden Park in June.”

Clarke raised concerns last month about the possibility of playing six games in June, if all the Nations League games scheduled to be played by that time had gone ahead alongside potentially two Cup play-off games. of the world.

Statements by FIFA and UEFA welcomed the solidarity and cooperation involved in the reorganization of the matches, which involved both the world and European governing bodies as well as eight national associations.