Russia has been formally eliminated from the 2022 World Cup qualifying series, FIFA confirmed on Tuesday.
The move follows President Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch military strikes in Ukraine.
Poland, Russia’s opponent, has been handed a bye into the Path B playoff final, which will be held on March 29.
Poland had been scheduled to meet Russia in the playoff semi-finals just days before. The Polish Football Association and players, on the other hand, claimed that they did not want to play Russia.
Poland will now face either Sweden or the Czech Republic in the final.
“Following the decision of the FIFA Organising Committee and the UEFA Executive Committee on 28 February 2022 to suspend all Russian teams from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice, the Bureau of the FIFA Organising Committee decided that Poland will receive a bye to the final of Path B, which will take place on 29 March 2022, in which they will face the winners of the match between Sweden and the Czech Republic,” according to a statement from FIFA.
